AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED

TO

MY

BELOVED

A.ND

HONORED PARENTS,
remembrance

in token of grateful

of the religious culture so assiduously bestowed during childhood,

and the judicious counsel and sympathy of riper years,

with the fervent prayer,
that they through
*'

whose instrumentality

from a child have Itnown the Scriptures,"

may make

rapid

advancement
*'

in the

Way

of Holiness" during

life,

and have, eventually, an abundant

entrance ministered unto them,

into the everlasting

kingdom of our Lord and Saviour,

Jesus Christ.

THE AUTHOR.

INTRODUCTION.

Who
India

has not been charmed and instructed by Tra-

vels and " Incidents of Travel" in the "

Holy Land"

Europe

America, &c

Travellers of every

variety of talent, almost from time immemorial, have

transmitted through the press the result of journeyings

and patient investigation.

AVhat has not been narrated

to par-

by one, whose genius might have instigated

ticularize elaborately on the topic suited to his

culiar cast of mind, has been enrolled

pesig-

by another,

nalized for a species of investigation unthought of by his

predecessor,
tellect

till

information suited to every grade of infully given, that firmness is requisite

has been so

to bear

up against the impression, that public sentiment

may

not label a

new

production with " thirst for book-

naking," " egotism," or the like.

Not so with the

traveller to the heavenly city.

is

A field

c^ investigation, boundless as eternity,

before him.

Earth hath

its

boundaries

but the inquiring, insatiate

is

m)ir* of the heavenly traveller,

"d journeying,

no where, in
interdict, "

all

his

met with the

Hitherto

hou come, but no further."

No!

the inspiring

VI

INTRODUCTION.
is

insignia

blazoned at every progressive point in his

pilgrimage,

"Then

shall

ye know^, if ye follow on to

know."

And
subtle

yet

it

should not be forgotten that an enemy,

all

beyond

human

conception, doth with

all

his

malicious agencies
"his march oppose,"

and

is

ever lurking about his heavenward way, ready with

well circumstanced devices to withstand every step of

an onward course.

In view of such considerations, the

Christian public will not

deem an apology necessary

for

presenting a narrative of journeyings in the " AVay of

Holiness, with Notes by the
It will

Way."

be observed, throughout, that with this tra-

veller the

Bible was the all-commanding chart by

which the propriety of each successive step was determined, and the work
is

now
its

sent forth to the world, with

the fervent prayer that

perusal

may

be helpful to-

ward

inspiring the reader with

more confirmed views

of the infinite importance and excellency of the Scriptures.

CONTENTS
SECTION
Long- waiting in order to get into the
I.

Pagt

way
time.

not necessary.

The

mannei
to tell
first

in

which many

lose

much

The

writer begins

How she mistook the path. Resolves oa being a *' Bible Christian." Perceives the duty of entire conseciatiou. Resolves
how
the traveller found the shorter way.

on entire devotion.

.....
II.

10

SECTION

Questions which occasioned seriois solicitude. Answered by Begins to be more abundant in labors. Is the Bible.
withstood by the accuser.
Is

assured from the Bible of the

.

necessity and attainableness of purity of intention.

14

SECTION
opinions had supposed necessary.

III.

Conviction not of that distressing character which preconceived

Not one doubt of her

ac-

ceptance with

God

as a

member
is

of the household of faith.

One duty never

interferes with another.

'

How

she
.

was
19

brought to exclaim,

There

a shorter way."
IV.

SECTION
Urged by the Mighty Counsellor.
everlasting covenant.

Enters into the bonds of an

84

divine conviction given that the

;
.

covenant

is

recognized in heaven.

SECTION
Holiness a state in which
live.
Its
all

V.

the Lord's

redeemed ones should

ichen

reasonableness.

How we may know

God

re-

ceives us.

An

increase of light in reference to the sacred-

nesa and immutability of the word of God burata upon her soul.

VUl

CONTENTS.
Page
Declarations of Scripture as truly the word of the Lord as

though heard from Mount Sinai.

vyord.

Faith

is

taking

God

at his

Perceives her error in requiring feeling the fruit of

to having exercised
faith.

faith previous

Resolves to take
32

God

at his word, at once and forever.

...

SECTION
Pngages
his word.

VI.

in a transaction eternal in consequences.

Takes God

at

Understandingly convinced that she ought to praise God. Begins to do it. Blessed consequences resulting from believing and praising God.
h'on

Holiness, Sanctificaand PERFECT LOVE no longer incomprehensible terms,

live.

but infinitely expressive of the stale in which every believer

should
Infinite

Wisdom halh

devised

the most proper

mode

of expression.

of the sin of Uzza.

in a degree Willing to trust God with the entire

Former scruples partaking

cause.

management

of his

own

...

38

SECTION
Christians not of the world.

VII.

The

seal proclaiming

them not of

the world should be ensiamped.

folded to her spiritual vision.

Momentous

responsibilities

and inconceivably glorious destination of the believer

world fixed upon her

is unGaze of the upper and lower

Inquiries uiged upon her attention.

The

blessing of holiness a gift from God.

Called to count

the cost of coming out in the profession of this blessing.

Principles established in reference to the

way

of coming at

duty.
ability.

Natural

ability as truly
life

a gift from God as gracious

Resolves that
neglected.

shall

bs sacrificed rather than

known duty

yet more glorious increase of light

bursts on her way.

Conjectures in reference to one commis.

sioned from the other world on a special embassy.

48

SECTION
Preciousness of the word of God.
tions of

VIII.
to follow the tradi-

Proneness

men

rather than the oracles of God, foundation of

No experience should be satisfactory but such as can be substantiated by an emphatic " Thus saith
former perplexities.

CONTENTS.

in
Pagt

the Lord." Perceptions of the absolute need of the atonement

more

vivid.

ous ease.

The highway of holiness not a The way requires interminable

place for ingloriprogression.

55

SECTION

IX.

How

did the process described pventuate in that disciple being br jught into the holiest by the blood of Jesus ? The question

answered.

The pilgrim's

soug.

...

8Q

BOOK
SECTION
Gracious remembrances.
tions
at

II.
I.

Entrusted to pious parents.

Conric-

an early age.

Perplexity on account of not having

an experience
God.

like others.
it

Asks direction fiom the word of

bui as often

Receives

at several diffdrent periods,

gives place to dissatisfaction by comparing experience with

other travellei-s. instead of keeping closely to the Bible.

Ex-

planations of what and how to believe necessary for inquirers.

The Saviour

speaks consolation to her soul during sleep.

Inconsistent with the

word

of

God
is

to

give an established
.

state of experience while unbelief

indulged.

80

SECTION
Long season
of wrestling

II.

with God.

God imparts strong

conso-

lation during sleep.

Proclaims his name.

prehended

in future experience.

...

Manifestation ap84

SECTION
Naturally

III.

much given to reasoning. This peculiarity serviceable when brought into obedience to Christ. God does not require man to believe anything but what is revealed in his written WORD. Illustration of the manner in which she lost much 88 time by unbelief. A door opened. Many adversaries.

SECTION

IV.

The student in search of earthly fame. Tiie heavenly student. Tae literature of th3 Bible the literature of heaven. The

CONTENTS.
Page
deathless spirit should be educated for heaven.

Rises early

the song.

sacrifice. The family altar and Duty of Christians to give a faithful representation of the power of grace to transform in heart and life. Where and how Christians may resemble Christ. The cares

and presents the morning

of the world cease to be absorbing.

to sing.

The honor

of

The song that she loved God concerned in judicious external

and internal household arrangements.

Much

that

formerly

augmented care easily to be dispensed with. Nothing with which she had to do, too high or too low to be inscribed with " Holiness to the Lord." How to decide wheiher a
matter

may

be taken to God.

...
may

100

SECTION
God
disciplines his children.

V.

How

lessons

living

characters.

Important inquiry.

"Thou

hast not forsaken me."

....
Decision.

be enstamped iu
Trials.

106

SECTION

VI.

An

entire

onward course. Why many take years in accomplishing that which might be done in days. What maybe gained by one act of faith. How one of Christ's little ones got into "the way." A lamb of the flock enters. A brother suddenly
ushered into the
in that

way by

faith.
;

"I never thought of unbelief

.

way

before."

114

SECTION
Tells a friend of God's peculiar
feeling.

VII.
of leading her.

way

Faith not

Firm foundation.

able dream.

The Word

of

Sudden recollection of a remarkGod personified as the one by

.
.

which

men

are to be judged at the last day.

123

SECTION

VIII.

First principles being established, are left.

Rapid progress. God no respecter of persons. Proneness of the heart to forget the " all the way." Resolves to be admonition to remember

more

diligent in recording.

126

CONTENTS.

XI

Page
Endeavors to place the standard of Chi istian excellence high. Powerful temptations. Resolves Conversion of Miss B
.

to die in the struggle to believe.

Asks that holiness may

Ascertains the
blessing,

assume some

tangible form in her mind.

upon which she obtained the how she may retain it irrespective of "frames Prays to be sealed nnlo the day of redemption.^
precise ground,

and
147

or feelings."

Inquirer.

poses in Christ as a present Saviour.

the stranger while dining.
conversion.

Irreligious

word in young lady.

Reseason to

Her
Tract

enters into the "

way

of holiness."

BufFetings from Satan.

District.

Excitement
time.

in

Bible class.

Setting

God a

Awful consequences. Young

storm.

lady saved from an impending

bihty

Parental responsi169

A new

and singular source of temptation. A gay worldling transformed. "Do you hear the angels singl" Tlie penitent and Conversion of a wicked servant. Trial. his conversion.

"Open

thy

mouth wide."

Christians are Christ's represent-

atives. Unenviable station, or "saints in Cesar's household."

"Be courteous."
from earth.

... ...
Praising God.
1

Christians shoald manifest a detachment

190

"I will pray one morning."

Answer

to prayer.

Much

lost

by indefiniteness.

believe all that the Bible

teaches

or

a lion transformed to a lamb.

strong expres-

sion of confidence tested by a dream.

Heavenly serenity.

Rainy Sabbath.

New Year's

festival.

decently and in order.

Prayer

for

Let all things be done a revival of holiness. 222

importance, excellency,

Decision on a peculiar case.

Infinite

aud comprehensiveness of the Word of God. Are wo to reject all manifestations from God, given in dreams or visions? Subject liable to abuse. " How shall we know the word

which God hath not spoken ?" "What profit hath the Jew]" "I have it iere." Ambassador from the court of heaven. The marriage engagement. The interesting young friend. Election of city officers. Day of extraordinary trial. Answer
to prayer.
Ill

health.

.231
253

Poetry,

BOOK

1.

**THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS/'*

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

SECTION
I.

" Be always ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is within you, with meekness and fear^" Peter.
*'

HAVE thought,"

said one of the children

of Zion to the other, as in love they journeyed

onward in the way cast up for the ransomed of " I have thought," said the Lord to walk in "whether there is not a shorter way of he, getting into this way of holiness than some of
;

our * * * brethren apprehend " Yes," said the sister addressed,

a

who was

member
!

of the denomination

alluded to

"Yes,

brother,

there

is

a shorter

way!

am
is

sure this long wailing and struggling

is

with the powers of darkness

not necessary.
then, with a

There

shorter way."

And

solemn responsibility of

feeling,

and with a

realizing conviction of the truth uttered, she

* Isaiah 35
.

8.

continued to say, " But, brother, there

is

but

one way."

Days and even weeks

mind
of that sister.
in

elapsed, and yet the

question, with solemn bearing, rested

upon the

She thought

of the afBr-

mative given
brother

answer

to the inquiry of the

examined yet more closely the Scripupon which the truth of the rested and the result of the invesadd
still

tural foundation

affirmation

tigation tended to
to the
.

greater confirmation
sincere disciples

belief,

that

many
in

of

Jesus, by various needless perplexities, con-

sume much lime

this

endeavoring to get into

to

way, which might, more advantageously themselves and others, be employed in main
it,

king progress

and testifying from experiits

mental knowledge of

blessedness.

How

many,

whom

Infinite

Love would long

since have brought into this state, instead of

seeking to be brought into the possession of

the blessing at once, are seeking a preparation
for the reception of
it
!

They

feel that their

convictions are not deep enough to warrant an

approach

to the

Throne of grace, with. the ex"

peclation of receiving the blessing confidently

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

lliis

'

no20.

Just at

point

lingering
sister,

months and years.

some may have been Thns did the

is

who

so confidently affirmed " there

shorter way."

And
'*

here, dear child of Jesus,

tell

permit the writer to

sister

you

just

how

that

found the

shorter way."

On
holy."

looking at the requirements of the w^ord

she beheld the

of God,

command, "Be ye
to

She then began

say in her heart,

"Whatever my former deficiences may have been, God requires that I should noiv be holy. Whether cc?ivicted, or otherwise, duti/ is God requires present holiness." On l^lain.
coming
ledge
is

to this point, she at

once apprehended
of,
i.

a simple truth before iinthought

conviction.
a long lime, slie l^ad

e.

Knoivre-

She well knew

been assured that

that, for

God

quired holiness.
this

But she had never deemed

sufficient

knowledge a

plea to take
to

to

Ood and
:present

because of present need,

the gift.
that in this respect she

ask a

bcstowment of

Convinced

had mis-

taken the path, she

now

with renewed energy,

began

to

make use

of the

knowledge already

received, and to discern a " shorter way."

"the way of

holiness."

Another difficulty by which her course had been delayed, she found to be here. She had been accustomed to look at the blessing of
holiness as such a
Iriojh

attainment, that her

it

general habit of soul

inclined her to think

This erroneous impression rather influenced her to rest the matter thus "I will let every high stale of grace
:

almost beyond her reach.

name alone, and seek only to be fully conformed to the will of God, as recorded in his
in

written ivord.

My

chief endeavors shall be

to

centered in the aim

Chrisiion.

be an humble Bible

By

the grace of

God,

all

my

en-

ergies shall be directed to this one point.

this single aim, I
will

With

journey onward, even

though

my

failh

may

be tried to the uttermost

by

those manifestations being withheld,

which
for

have previously been regarded as essential

the establishment of faith."

On

arriving at this point, she

into

was enabled
simplicity
this

to gain yet clearer insight

trie

of the way.

And

it

was by

process.

After having taken the Bible as the rule of

life,

instead of the opinions and experience of

professors, she found,

on

taking the blessed

15

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

closely
to

word more
appealing!}^
*'

the companionship of

her heart, that no one declaration spoke more

to

her understanding than this

Ye

are not your own, ye arc bought wiih a

price, therefore glorify

spirit

God

in

your body and

which arc
this

iiis."

By

she perceived the duty of entire

consecration in a stronger light, and as more

sacredly binding, than ever before.

saw God
of the

as her

Here she Redeemer, claim in^r, by virtue

the presftnt

great price paid for the redemption of

spirit,

body, soul, and

service Qi
all

and

entire

these redeemed powers.

if

By

this

she saw, that

she lived constantly

in the entire surrcr.der of all that

dearly purchased

unto

had been thus God, she was but an

if

improfilable servant; and that,

less than alt

was rendered, was worse than

unprofitable,

inasmuch as she would be guilty of keeping back part of that price wdiich had been purchased unto God: " Not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but by the precious blood of Jesus."
discerning the will of
felt

x\nd after so clearly

God

concerning her, she

that

the

sin of

Annanias and Sapphira

10

"the way of holiness."

less culpable in the sight of

would be

Heaven

ihan her own, should she not at once resolve on

living in the entire consecration of all her re-

deemed powers

to God. Deeply conscious of past

unfaithfulness, she

now
fice;

deteririined that the time past should suf-

and with a humility of

spirit,

induced from

a consciousness of not having lived in the per-

formance of such a " reasonable service," she

was enabled, through

heart and
life to

grace, to resolve, vviih

firmness of purpose, that entire devotion of

God

should be the absorbing

life..

subject of the succeeding pilgrimage of

"THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

SECTION n.

" \^'e

by his

Spirit prove^

And know the things of God, The things which, freely of his love, He hath on us bestowed."

After having

thus resolved on devoting the

entire service of heart

and hfe

to

God, some

questions presented, which occasioned serious

They were ihes^e soHcitude. How shall I know lichen I have consecrated all to God ? And how ascertain whellier God accepts the and know the manner of its accepsacrifice tance ? Here again the blessed Bible, which she had now taken as her counsellor, said I
:

her heart, "

We

have received not the

spirit

of the world, but the Spirit

that

which

is

of God-,

we might know

the things freel}^ given to

us of God."
It

was thus she became Assured

that

it

was

12

"tliE
to

WAY

OF !I0L1!^ESS."
tvJien she to

lier privilege

know

had consccra*

led

all to

God, and also

know

that the sacrifice

was accepted, and the resolve was solemnly made that the subject should not cease to be absorbing, until this knowledge was obtained.
Feeling
to
it

as a nnalter of

no small importance

stand thus solemnly pledged to God, con-

scious that sacred responsibilities were inclu-

ded

in

these engagements, a realization of the

that neither body, soul, nor spirit,

knowledge

lime, talent, nor influence, were, even for one

moment,

at

her

own

disposal,

began

to

assume

the tangibility of living truth to her mind, in a

manner

not before apprehended.

From

a sense of responsibility thus imposed,

**

she began to be more abundant in labors,

stant in season, and out of season."

in-

While thus engaged

in these

in

active service, an-

other difficulty presented.

How much
at

of selt

performances

said the accuser.

For

moment almost bewildered

being thus

withstood, her heart began

to sink.

She

felt

most keenly that she had no certain standard to raise up against this accusation It was here aaain-lhat the blessed word
!

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

13

sweetly

communed

with her heart, pr^seniing

to

the marks by the way, by a reference

the

admonition of Paul

" Therefore,

my

beloved

brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable,

aU

ways abounding
asmucli as ye
vain
in

in the

work of

the Lord, foris

know

that

your labor

not in

the L&rd."
coriinued thus
:

These blessed communings

If the primitive Christians

had the assurance

that their labors

were

in the

Lord

and thus

enjoyed the heart-inspiring confidence that their

labors

were ncA in vain^ because performed

it

in

the might of the Spirit, then

privilege
to

is

also
is

your
in

know

that

your labor

the

Lord.

was

at this point in

her experienco

ihat she first perceived tho necessity^ and also,

the attalnablencss of the witness of purity of

intention

which,
The
is

in

her petition to God, as

most expressive
nominated, "
every motive
It

of her peculiar need, she de-

witness that the spring of

pure."

was by

the

word

of the

Lord she bscamo

needed
Tiie
this

fully

convinced that she

in

heart-

encouraging confidence
cess in

order to insure suc-

her labors of love,

next step

14

"the way of

holiness."

taken was

to resolve, as in the

presence of the

Lord, not

to

cease importuning the Throne of

grace until the witness W'as given "that the

sjiring of

every motive was pure."

to
tliis

On coming
suringl}^,

decision,

the

blessed

Word, most encouragingly,

said to her heart

vea, and also as'^

Stand

sl'ili,

and

see ihe salvation of

God

!"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY
SECTTION la.
" Here, in thine
I

IS

own

appointed way,

wait to learn thy will;

I

Silent

stand before thy face,

And
Be
still
!

hear thee say,

'

Be

still
:'

and know that I am God 'Tis all I wish to know,

feel the virtue

To

of thy blood,
praise below."

And

spread

its

Thus admonished,

she began to anticipate^

tlie

with longings unutterable, the fulfilment of

Word upon which

rest her hope.

she had been enabled to

Yet these exercises, though so deep

nently, that "the

as to

assure the heart, most powerfully and perma-

word of the Lord

is

quick

and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged

sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of the
soul and spirit, and of the joints and

marrow,

and

is

a discerner of the thoughts and intents

16

of ihe heart

;"

yet they were not of

lliat

dis-

tressing character

which

her

preconceived

opinions had rendered necessary, preparatory

to entering into a state of holiness.

So

far

from having those overwhelming per-

ceptions of guilt, on which she afterward

saw

she had been too

ance, as

much disposed
growing

to place reli-

somewhat meritorious, she was conin

stantly and consciously

grace daily

yea, even
child of

hourly her heavenward progress

seemed marked as by the finger of God. No gloomy forebodings that she was 7iot a

God dimmed

her spiritual horizon,

presenting fearful anticipations of impending

wrath.

rience,

There had been a period in her expesome time previous to that under present consideration, from which she had not one lingering doubt of lier acceptance with God^as

a metnber of the household offaith. But, conscious that she had 720t the ivitness of entire consecration to God, neither the assurance that
the great deep of her heart, the fountain from

whence
this

action emanates,

was

pure,

which

at

time stood before the vision of her mind as

distinct objects, (yet which, as

two

she after-

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY 1

17

Ward perceived, most clearly merged in oncy) and impelled onward also by such an intense desire to be fruitful in every good icork, the
^

emotions of her

spirit

could not perhaps be

than in the nervous

more

clearly expressed

language of the poet

"My heartstrings groan My flesh lies panting,

And

with deep complaint,

Lord, for ihee
joint,
;

every limb, and every

Stretches for perfect purity."

And

yet, to continue poetic languasje, it was a " sweet distress," for the word of the Lord con-

tinuously said to her heart,

"The

Spirit helpeth

our infirmities;" and conscious that she had

submitted herself to the dictations of the Spirit,

a sacred conviction took possession of her
that she

mind

was being
still,

led into all truth.

" Stand

and see the salvation of God,"

before the

was now

the listening altitude in

soul eagerly wailed

which her Lord and it

;

was but

a few hours after the

above encour-

aging admonition had been spoken to her heart

that she set apart a season to wait before the

Lord especially

for the

bestowment of the ob-

18

"the way of

holiness."

ject, or rather the

two

distinct objects previ-

ously stated.

On
Lord

first

kneeling, she thought of resolving

to wait

that she

would continue

before the

until the desire of

her heart was granted.

to

But the adversary, who had stood ready

**Be careful, God
tations
;

withstand every progressive step, suggested,

may

disappoint your expec-

and suppose you should be left to wrestle all night ay, and all the morrow too ?"
;

She had ever

felt

it

a matter of

momentous

import to say, either with the language of the ;" heart or lip, " I have lifted my hand to God

and

for a

moment

she hesitated whether she

should really determine to continue in a wait-

ing attitude, until the desire of her heart was

fulfilled
;

but afterward concluded to rest the

:

matter thus

one duty can never, in the order

;

of God, interfere with another

necessarily called

and,

unless
cir-

away by surrounding
the
is

cumstances, I
wait
till

will, in

strength of grace,
it

my

heart
all

assured, though

may be

all night,

and

the

morrow

too.

And here most emphatically could she say, So she was led by a " way she knew not."

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

19

simple, so clearly described, and urged by the

word of the Lord, and yet so often overlooked, for want of that child-like simplicity which,
without reasoning, takes

God

at his

word.

It

was

just while

engaged

in the act of

preparing

the way, as she deemed, to

some great and

word, led
*'

undefinable exercise, that the Lord, through

the

medium

of faith in his

loritten

her astonished soul directly into the

way

of

holiness," where, with unutterable delight, she

found the comprehensive desires of her soul blended and satisfied in the fulfilment of the

command, *' Be ye Jioly^ It was thus, waiting child of Jesus, traveller in the King's highway was

that this

directed

onward, through the teachings of the word of

God, and induced so confidently to affirm, in reply to the brother, " There is a shorter ivoy,'^

"THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

SECTION
17.

Thou message from the skies Ray for the rayless heart Thou fount of wisdom for the wise
!
!

A
Man
The

halm

for all

thou

art.

of

my

counsel, thou

Blessings untold rejoice

heart of those

who meekly bow>

To
It was on
the

listen to thy voice.

this

wise tlmt
as a

llie

word of the Lord,

"hook of books,"

"mighty counsellor,"

urged her onward, and by unerring precept directed every step of the way.

And

as each

progressive step by
into the

which she was ushered

this blessed state of
its
it

enjoyment of

ex-

perience was as distinctly marked, by

teachings, as those already given,

holy
not

may

be presumed, that some heretofore wavering

one

may

the assurance

be induced to rest more confidently in that " the word of the Lord is

IS

THERE NOTA SHORTER WAY

is

21

tried,"

and

the

same

in its

immutable nature
staling, as nearly

as the Faithful and True, as will

by

comport with the brevity required, the steps as successively taken by which this disciple of Jesus entered
?

Over and again, previous to the time mentioned, had she endeavored to give herself away in covenant to God. But she had never,
till this hour, deliberately resolved on counting the cost, with the solemn intention to " reckon

herself dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto

God
no

through Jesu3 Christ our Lord

self

;" to

account herin verity

permanently the Lord's, and

at

more
in the

her

own

disposal, but irrevocably the

Lord's property^ for time and eternity.

Now,
having

name

of the
*'

Lord Jehovah,

after

deliberately

counted the cost," she resolved

to enter into the

bonds of an everlasting cove-

nant, with the fixed purpose to count all things

loss for

the

excellency of the knowledge of

Jesus, that she might

of his resurrection, by being

to

know him and the power made conformable

to

his death,
life.

and raised

an entire newness

of

Apart from any excitement of

feeling, other

23

than the sacred

awe

inspired by the solemnity

of the act, she now, in experimental verily, did

lay hold upon the terms of the covenant

by

which (>od has condescended

to his people, to bring

to bind

himself

being willing, yea, even desirous,

the responsibility of a perpetual

down

engagement upon herself, even in the sight of heaven. So intensely was she desirous that
earth should usurp a claim no more, she asked
that the

the eternal throne, that the " host of ihe

that

solemn act might be recorded before Lord

that fear

encamp around about them

him"

might bear witness, and also the innumerable

company
in spirit,

of the redeemed, blood-washed spirits,

should behold yet another added to their choir

and also

in

song

and though

still

resident of earth, they should witness the ceaseless return of all her

redeemed powers.through
acceptable sacrifice.

Christ, ascending as an

The

obligation to take the service of

life,

God

as

the absorbing business of

and

to regard

heaven as her native home, and the accumulation of treasure

heaven the chief object of

ambition,

was

at this

solemn moment entered

upon.

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY?

this, a

23

On

doing

hallowed sense of consecraa divine conin

tion took possession of her soul;

viction that the covenant

was recognized

heaven, accompanied with the assurance that

the seal, proclaiming her wholly
the Lord's,

was
with

set

while a consciousness, deep

and

abiding,

that she had been but a co-worker

in

God

this

matter, added

still

greater

confirmation to her conceptions of the extent

and permanency of those heaven-inspired exercises,

by which a mighty work had been

in

wrought
after

and

for her soul,

which she

felt

assured would

tell

on her eternal destiny, even

in the

myriads of ages had been spent

elernal world.

state into

But she did not at the moment regard the which she had been brought as the "way of holiness," neither had the word holiness been the most prominent topic during this

solemn transaction.

Conformity

to the

will of

God

in all things

was

the absorbing desire of

her heart.

Yet

after having

passed through

these exercises, she began to give expression " I am wholly thine to her full soul thus
:
!

Thou

dost reign unrivalled in

my

heart

There

24
is

"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

not a

tie

that binds

me
now

to earth
I

every

tie

has been severed, and

thine!"
the

am

wholly, wholly

While

lingering on the last words,

Holy

Spirit appsalingly repeated the confi:

dent expressions to her heart, thus

What

wholly the Lord's?

that

Is not this the holiness

God
?

requires

What
require

have you more

all ?

to

render

more than Haih he issued the command, *' Be ye

and not given the
ability

Does God

holy,"

with the

command
mas?

for the performance of it?

ter,

Is he a hard

unreasonable in his requirements

in a

She

now saw,

convincing

light,

her error in

regarding holiness as an attainment beyond her

reach, and stood reproved, though consciously

shielded by the atonement from condemnation, and enjoying the blessedness of that soul " to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

And now
more
^^

the eyes of her understanding

were
faith-

fullv

opened, and founded on eternal

fulness did she find the words of the Saviour,

If any ma7i ivill do his the doctriney

ivill lie

shall

know of

TPIE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."
f

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

SECTION
V.

" Let us, to perfect love restored,

Thine image here

retrieve,

And in the presence of our Lord The life of angels live.

But
is it

possihle that
live

I
1

Should
Lord,
if

and s'n no more

I

on thee

dare

rely,
''^

The

faith shall bring- the power.

She now saw

grace
in

that holiness, instead of being

an altainment beyond her rearh, was a stale of

which every one of the Lord's

live

re-'

deemed ones should

the

that the service

was

indeed a " reasonable service,'' inasmuch as

command,

*'

Be ye

holy,"

is

founded upon

the absolute right which God, as our Creator,

Preserver, and Redeemer, has upon the entire

service of his creatures.

Instead of perceiving any thing meritorious

in

to do,

what she had been enabled, through grace, i. e., in laying all upon the altar; she

26

"the way of

holiness."

saw

that

that she had but rendered back to God which was already his own." She looked upon family, influence, earthly possessions, &:c., and chidingly, in view of said
to

former misappropriation,
*'

her heart,

What hast thou, that thou hast not received ? And if received, why didst thou glory in them And though with as of thine own begetting ?"
Abraham
all

in the sacrifice of his

beloved Isaac,
of

she was called seemingly to sacrifice that

earthly objects surpassingly dear, yet so

truly did she

now

see that the

"Giver of every

good
his

gift"

but rightfully required his

own

in

own

time, that she could only say, "

The

Lord gave, and

blessed be the

the

Lord hath taken away,

of the Lord."

name

And
in

0, what cause for deep and perpetual

abasement before God did she now perceive,

that she

had so long kept back part of that

infinite love

price which, by the requirement of that blessed

word, she now so clearly discerned

had demanded
quirements?
*

and when

the inquiries

were

presented, " Is

God

unreasonable in his rethe

Hath he given

command,
with

Be ye

holy,'

and not given the

ability

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

for the

27
?"

the

command,

performanqe of

it

Her

inmost soul, penetrated, with a sense of past

unfaithfulness,

acknowledged not only the rea-

sonableness of the command, but also the unreasonableness of not having lived
to

obedience
appre-

such a plain Scriptural requirement.

With

a depth of feeling not before

hended, she could

sentiment,
"
I

now respond

heartily to the

loathe myself

when

Christ

I see,

And
Content

into nothing
if

fall,

God

exalted be,
all in all."

And

Christ be

Never before did she so deeply realize the truth of the words, *' For we have received
the sentence of death in ourselves, that

we
that

should not trust in ourselves,

raiseth the dead."

but in

Him

With poverty

of spirit her
to its

heart

was constantly giving utterance

emotions wath the poet

"

Thou

all

our works in us hast wrought,

is all

Our good

divine,

The praise of every virtuous thought And righteous act is thine."

98

"the way op

holiness."

And when (as

attitude before

she

siill

conlinned

in a

waiting

Lord) the Spirit appealed to her understanding thus, " Through what
the

power have you been enabled thus

to present

yourself a living sacrifice to God ?" her heart replied, " Through the power of God. I could

no more have brought myself, but through

in

faith

God, believing
I

it

to

be his

requirement,
!"

than

could have created a world

*'

Immedihas enthat
it

ately the Spirit suggested, If God abled you to bring it, will he not, now

you

bring

it

and lay

it

on his

altar,

accept

at

your

hands?"
all

She now, indeed, began

!

to feel that

things were ready

and, in thrilling antici-

pation,

began

to say,

*'

yes, thou ivilt receive

that

Thou wilt me /" And

receive
still

me

she

felt

something was wanting.

shall I

" But

how
said

know

that thou dost

when and receive me?"

the importunate
spirit

language of her heait.

The

presented the declaration of the

written word in reply,

"Now

is

the accepted

lime."
satisfied

Still
;

her insatiable desires

were unwith

and yet she continued

to wait

unutterable

injporlunity of desire and longing

expectation, looking

upward

for the

coming of

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

29

the

Lord

while the Spirit continued to urge

**
'

the Scriptural declarations,

cepted

time,''
all

loill

receive you.

Noiu is the acOnly believe

!

Venture

noiu and for ever upon the faith-

fulness of the

IMMUTABLE WORD, and you arc

now and /or ever the saved of the Lord !" And now an increase of light in reference to the
sacredness and immutability of the word of An assurance that God, burst upon her soul
!

the

Holy Scripture
as

is,

in

verity, the

w^ord of
as

THE Lord, and

ness and
vitality

immutable

in its nature

the throne of the Eternal,

assumed the vividof truth, in a manner that

in

she had never before realized.

These views were given

answer

quiry that rose in her mind, thus

to

an in-

'

Shall I

venture upon these declarations without previously realizing a change sufficient to warrant

such conclusions

Venture now, merely bein the

cause they stand thus recorded

written

word

She here perceived that the declarations of Scripture were as truly the word of THE Lord to her soul, as though they were
!

proclaimed from the holy Mount

3

in

the voice

30

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

of thunder,

or blazoned across the vault of

heaven

in characters

of flame.

into the simplicity of faith in a

She now saw manner that as;

tonished and humbled her soul

astonished that
it,

she had not before perceived

and humbled
to beits

because she had been so slow of heart

lieve

God.

The
:

perceptions of faith and

effect that then took

possession of her mind

were these

Faith

is

taking

God
his

at his word,
truth.

relying unwaveringly

upon

The
corres-

nature of the truth believed, whether joyous or

otherwise,
will

necessarily produce

ponding

feeling.

Yet, faith and feeling are

two

distinct objects,

though so nearly
error which,

allied.

Here she saw an

during the

whole of her former pilgrimage in the heavenly way, had been detrimental to her progress. She now perceived that she had been much

more
to

solicitous

about feeling than faith

requiring feeling, the fruit of faith,

previous

having exercised

faith.

And now, on
clearly, she

Spirit to

the way more was enabled by the heln of the resolve that she would take God at

discerning

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY?

31

his

word, whatever her emotions might be.

to

Here ^he was permitted

ment,
to

linger for a
life

mo-

count the cost of living a

of faith

on the Son of God. The question was presented, " Suppose, after you have ventured

upon the bare declaration of God

believe that as

resolved
his

to

you venture upon

word he

doth receive you just because he hath said,

'I will receive you,'

and

then should per-

ceive no change,
or emotion, to
still

no extraordinary evidence, confirm your faith, would you

the answer that presented from

believe?"

the

WORD was, " TJte just shall live by faiths She now came to the decision that if called
life

to live 'peculiarly the

all

of faith, and denied

to

outward or inward
of,

manifestations

an

extent before unheard of he

to

with the exception

the

who "journeyed" onward in obedience command of " God, not knowing

still,

whither he went/' that she would

the
*'

through
said,

power

of the

Almighty, who has

Walk

before me, and be thou perfect," jourlife

ney onward through the pilgrimage of

walking by faith

resolved

that the shield of

32
failh

"the way of holiness."

should never he relinquished, hut retained

even with the unyielding grasp of death^should

the powers of darkness be permitted to assail

even thus formidably.

Never can

the impor-

tant step that followed be forgotten in time or

in eternity.

"THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

IS

THERE NOT

SHORTER WAY
VI.

SECTION
"

He

staggered not at the promise of God, through

unbelief, but

was strong

in faith, giving glory to

God

being fully persuaded that what he had promised he

was

able also to perform."

The word of God.

"Faith in thy power thou seest I have, For thou this faith hast wrought,

Dead

souls thou callest from the grave,

And

speakest worlds from nought.

all
I

In hope against

human

hope,

Self-desperate,

believe,

Thy
The

quickcnivg word shall raise

shalt ihy spirit give.
all

me

up.

Thou

thing surpasses

my
:

thought,

But faithful is Through unbelief

my
I

Lord

stagger not,
the word.^^

For God hath spoke

From

ihe preceding

views she discerned

clearly, that one

more step must be taken ere

hath called you,

she had tested fully the faitlifulness of God..

**

Faithful

is

he

who

who

also-

34
toill

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

do

it,"

was now no longer

that

a matter of

opinion, but a truih confidently believed, and

she

now saw

she

must relinquish the

indulged in, as " Thou ivilt

confident

expression

before

premising something

in ihe future,

receive me," for the yet

more confident ex-

pression, implying pre^e??^ assurance,

"Thou

dost

receive

!"

It

is,

perhaps, almost needheretofore

of the

less to say, that the

enemy who had

endeavored to withstand every

Spirit's leadings,

step

now, with much greater enthe

ergy, withstood

suggestion that

it

was

strangely presumptuous to believe in

such a

way, was presented with a

plausibility
;

which

only Satanic subtilty could invent

resolution to believe had passed
Spirit
;

but the

and then the

most inspiringly said

it

to

her heart,

"The
tfie

kingdom

of heaven sufTereth violence, and

violent take

by force. ">

And now
here,
in

realizing that she

its

was engaged

in

a transaction eternal in

consequences, she

the strength, and as in the presence of

the

Father, Son, and

Holy
call

Spirit,

and those

spirits that minister to the

heirs

of salvation,

said,

" 0, Lord,

now

heaven and earth

IS

THEPwE NOT A SHORTER

WAY

35

to

witness

that

now

lay bochj, soul,

and

spirit,

with all these redeemed powers, upon

!

thine altar, to be for ever thine

'Tis

done

Thou

hast promised to receive

me

Tliou

canst not

be unfaithful

Thou

dost receive
I

me now
thine

wholly

From
tlf

this
/"

time henceforth

am

me

The enemy suggested, " 'Tis but the work own understanding the effort of your own will." But the spirit of the Lord raised
of your

up

a standard

which Satan, wiih

It

his

forces, could not overthrow.

combined was by the

following presentation of truth that the Spirit

helped her infirmities.

tions of right

''

Do

not your percep-

assure you
to

even your own understanding

that
it is

matter of thanksgiving

you have been thus enabled to " Yes," responded present your all to him ?" her whole heart, " it has been all the work of
that

God

the

Spirit.
in the

I will

praise
!

Him

Glory be to
the
!

God
jah
!

highest

Worthy

is

]>amb to
Hallfflu!

receive glory, honor, and blessing

the

Lord God Omnipotent reigneth

in

Yes, thou dost reign unrivalled

m^y heart

Thou

hast subdued

all

things to thyself,

and

36

"the way

of holiness."

now

ihou dost reign ibroughout the empire of

soul,

my
'i'he

the

Lord God of every motion

!"

Spirit
the

now

bore

full

testimony to her
!

truth of the word She felt in experimental verity that it was not in vain that she had believed her very existence seemed losi and swallowed up in God; and she seemed
spirit of
;

plunged as
that she

it

were, into

an immeasurable
'*

ocean of love, light and power, and realized

was encompassed with the

shield,
to

favor of
assured,

the

Almighty as with a

and

felt

while she continued thus

rest

her entire

being on the faithfulness of God, she might

confidently stand rejoicing in hope," and exuliingly, with the poet, assure her heart
"

My

steadfast soul from falling free,

Shall

now no
all

longer rove,
to nne.

But Christ be

all in all

And

my

soul be lote."

She now saw

siiieness,

\nfm\iQ propriety,
in

comprehen-

and beauty,

those words of divine

before indulged

origin from which she had

a

shrinking, as implying a state too high and

sacred for ordinary attainment or expectation.

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER

WAY 1

37

Holiness, sanctific\tion, perfect love^ were now no longer so incomprelicrisihle, or

indefinif? in nature

or bearing, in relation lo
llie

the individual

experience of

Lord's renot
that
it

deemed

ones.

She wondered

should he said, in reference to the " way op HOLINESS," " The ransomed of the Lord shall
ivalk there /"
JShe

now

perceived that these

terms were most significantly expressive of a

stale of soul in

which every believer should

to her

live,

and

felt

that no words of mere earihiy origin

could

embody

own

perceptions, or con-

vey to the understanding of others, half the

comprehensiveness of meaning contained
so prominently in the
in

these significant expressions, which stand forth

word of God, thereby assuring men that they are given by the express dictation of the Holy Spirit. She now thought of her former peculiar scruples in reference to the use of these words
of divine origin, as
in

a degree partaking of the

sin of Uzzah, implying as she now clearly dis-

cerned, an unwarrantable carefulness about the

ark of God, as though

infinite

wisdom had not

;

devised the most proper mode of expression

38
for she well

"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

often her heart

remembered how
sliG

had
the

risen against these expressions,

as objecin

tionable,

when

had heard other travellers

"way

of holiness" use the terms as expres-

sive of the state of grace into

had brought them

she
state into

the very

which the Lord same words which

now saw were

infinitely .expressive of the

which the Lord had brought her own

felt

soul.

But she now

trusting

such a mighty increase of

confidence in God, that she hesitated not in

management of his own own hands^ and was willing, ay, even desirous, to become an instrum.ent through which he might show forth his power
the entire
his

cause

in

to

save unto the uttermost

desirous to be acto

counted of
'*

no reputation
sound
;"

be but as
'*

voice'''

to
to

forth the praise of the

Al-

mighty
should

save

willing

lliat

the instrument

be despised and rejected, only so that

the voice of

God should be

heard, and the Sa-

viour honored and accepted.

"THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

SECTION vn.

....

"

They

are not of the world, even as I

I

am

not of the world.

pray not that thou shouldest take

them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." The Prayer of Jesus for his

Disciples.

" 'Tis done

thou dost this

salvation bless

moment
;

save,

With

full

Redemption through thy blood I have, Aad spotless love and peace."

Now

that she

was

so powerfully and experi-

mentally assured of the blessedness of this

^'shorter

way," oh, with what ardor of soul did

she long to say to every redeemed one,

;

"Ye

have been fully redeemed redeemed from all iniquity, that ye should be unto God a peculiar
people, zealous of good works."

So reasonable did
Lord^s ransomed ones,

it

appear, that all the

so fully

who had been

redeemed, and chosen out of the world, should

be sanctified^ set apart for holv service, as

40

"the way

of holiness."
to

chosen vessels unto God,

bear his hallowed

name
seal

before a gainsaying world, by having the

legibly

enstamped
*'

upon the forehead,

that

proclaiming them as
culiar people to
all

not of the world, "a " peforth his praise;"

show

the energies of her

in the

bed

desire lo

mind were now absorcommunicate the living in-

tensity of her soul on this subject to the heart

of every professed disciple.

The

ardor of her

now newly-inspired

spirit

could scarcely conceive of a higher ambition, in

ihe present slate of existence, than to be endu-

ed with the unction of the Holy One, and then

permitted, by the
to every

power
*'

of the Spirit, to

say

lover of Jesus,

This

is

the will of

God, even your sanclification." Jesus, your Redeemer, your Saviour, waits even now to sanctify you wholly and I pray God that your
;

whole

spirity

and soul, and body be preserved

he that callelh you,

blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus

Christ.

Faithful
ii."

is

who

also will do
It

was
first,

in that

same hallowed hour when she

veil,

was

through the blood of the everlasting

covenant, permitted to enter within the

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

41

^ndpi'ove ihe blessedness of the '^way of holiness," that the

momentous
to

responsibilities,

and

also inconceivably glorious destination of the

believer,
in a

were unfolded

her spiritual vision,

for-

manner inexpressibly surpassing her

to look to

mer perceptions. She seemed permitted

the vista of the future,

down through
lit

behold herself as

having begun a race,

in a

way luminously

up

by

the rays of the

Sun

of Righteousness, with

the gaze of myriads of interested spectators

aye, even the gaze of the upper, as also the

lower world, intensely

fixed,

watching her

progress in a course that seemed to admit of

no

respite, or turning to the right or to the left,

and where consequences, inconceivably mo-

mentous and eternal

ing.

in

duration,

were pend-

HdiVe you brought yourself into this state of

blessedness
?

Is

it

through your

own
in

exer-

tions that this light

has been ht up
that

heart

were now inquiries

attention.

your were urged

felt,

upon her

She deeply

as her
it

heart responded to these interrogatories, that

was

all the

work

of the Spirit

and never be-

42

"the way of

holiness."

fore did such a piercing sense of her

own

de-

merit and helplessness penetrate her soul as at

that hour, as her inmost soul replied, ^Tis

from

the

**

Father of hghts," the

gift,"

*'

Giver of every

good and perfect

this precious gift.

that I
it is

have received
from God,
a gift

Yes,
all

digift
!

and

to his

name be
is

the glory

The

Spirit then

suggested, If

\\.

is

from God, God

lion of his gifts,

not exclusive in the innpartawill

and you
it

be required to
gift,

declare

it

to declare

as his

through

our Lord Jesus Christ, and ready for the ac-

ceptance of

all,

as his free gift

and

this, if

you

would

retain the blessing, will not be left at

your own disposal. do

You

will

be called
!

to pro-

fess this blessing before thousands

it?

Can you

And

here she was pernfiitied again to

count the cost.

let

me

die than lose the blessing, for Satan

She had been saying, Rather had

one day professing the bless;

suggested that she would ever be vacillating

in her experience
ing,
;

and another not

that she
it

tutionally prone to reason,

was so constiwould require an

which,

extraordinary miracle to sustain amid such a

variety of unpropitious circumstances,

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

43

as

mighty phalanx, crowded before

:

the

mind her remembrance

vision of her
rectly

but the Spirit brought to

the

continuous miracle of

the Israelitish nation fed daily with bread di-

from heaven.

And though

assured that

a miracle equal in magnitude

would be continu-

ously requisite for her sustainment, yet she

same Almighty power stood continuously pledged for its performance. And now that she was called to count the cost of coming out in the profession
gloried in the assurance that the

of this blessing before thousands, the

enemy
making

directed her mind most powerfully to what her

former failures had been,

in reference to

confession with the mouth.

In few duties had she more frequently brought

cofidemnation on her soul than in this

and the

suggestion from the adversary, that a failure in

this

requirement was precisely the

ground on

which she should lose the blessing, assumed more plausibility than former temptations. But and as a cothe Spirit raised up a standard worker with God she was enabled to resolve
;

the subject in such a manner, that the

onward

pilgrimage of m.orc than live succeeding yearis

44

"the WAV OF HOLINESS."

has tested the happy consequences of the decision,

and proved that

it

was indeed

the Spirit

of the
rit

Lord

that raised the standard

the Spisettled

that taught

The

matter was decided thus

Some

must be established in the soul, by which it may be known what shall constitute Duly must duty in reference to this subject. be determined by a reference to the requireprinciples

ments of the
to the soul.

Word

and being settled thus,

the voice of
to

the voice of duty

is literally

God
work

She was then enabled

decide

the matter in reference to testifying of the of the Spirit thus as

Christ's body.
If
I,
:

The Church is represented I am one of the members

by
testifying of his Spirit's

of that body.

operation on
ed, the

my

heart,
is

am

individually benefit-

whole body
action

advantaged, by a more

healthy
"which,

being

produced
and

throughout,

by the

disaffection of
injured,

one
this

member,
in

might be materially

refer-

ence io myself, as well as also the ivhole body,

would
the

constitute duty, and thus

if

any other

member
same

or

members should be

benefited, in

ratio.

The

inquiry arose, But

am

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

'

by my own power of reasonin^: to determine in mailers so momentous ? The answer was, If you have power lo reason above an idiot, or
the beasts
that

perish,

God

has given

that

power;
ship.

it is

a talent intrusted, for which

you

will be called to render an account of steward-

Natural

abilities are as truly gifts from

God

as those termed

by men o^ractous

abilities.

"Grace does not

natural

render in any degree useless

into a

endowments, but only turns them

sanctified channel.

Having received, through these gracious communications, more enlightened and confirmed views
of
in

reference to duty, and assured

that the voice of duty

was

in

verity the voice

God

to the soul,

she was enabled to resolve,

however formidable the circumstances if it literally cost life in the effort to go forward, she would still proceed, though a
that

were,

martyr

to the

cause

that

it

should be enough

Almighty had said, " Go forward." On coming to this point, a yet more glorious The increase of light burst upon her way Spirit brought to her remembrance the words
that the
!

she had most solemnly uttered but a few mo-

46

"the way of HOLmESS."

ments previous, when, makinnj the sacred deSication of all her powers for ever to God, she
had used the dedicatory words of David, " Into thy hands I commit my spirit, for thou ha&t

redeemed me, O Lord God of truth." She had realized and acknowledged the ofifering
accepted.

And now

the Spirit said,

Had your
thus
;

spirit actually left the

body, and mingled with

the spirits before the throne,

when von

solemnly committed

it

into the

hands of God

and had the Father of

spirits

permitted you to

return and again actuate that body, for the special

purpose of declaring before thousands that

is

Jesus

a full Saviour, able to save unto

the

uttermost, could

you do
the-

it ?

She thought of
surrounding
in

blood-washed
attitude

spirits

waiting

the

eternal

throne, and from a newly-received affinity of

feeling,

began

to conjecture

their burning arto

dor, as

messengers of

love,

communicate
to

tidings of grace to

whatever sphere commis-

sioned.

She thought of one commissioned

to

earth with a special embassy, cliarged to

municate

it

comthe greatest possible number of

;

earth's inhabitants

conjectured the zeal that

IS

THERE NOT A SHORTER WAY

4/

would be manifested
tidings,

in givin^r publicity to the

the expedients used, the

ideas of his

auditors relative to the innportance of his mission, tlieir probable indifference, perhaps con-

tumely and

scorn, pronounced
far,

over-zealous,
fanatic, or

carrying matters too

perchance

monomaniac, might be the epithets that might serve to distinguish him from the mass of mankind, and be the

reward of

his labors of love,

during the performance of his earthly mission. Yet the thought of the manner in which
these considerations would effect him, th^ vari-

ous motives that would

eration, the
little

call forth his

commis-

weight that a contemptuous

reception of his message would have on his

personal feelings, only as far as the honor of

his Sovereign

was concerned,
to

his shght associa-

tions

and attachments

earth, other than as

the

scene for the completion of his work, his

thoughts of heaven, as the centre of his operations, the

home of his

heart, his native country,

&c.,
It

all

tended

to instruct

and admonish.

was now
wdiolly,"

that the Scriptural

meaning of
spirit,"

the words,

"The

very

God

of peace sanctify

you

"body, soul and

"

fliy

48
will
**

"the way

of holiness.^'
it

be done on earth as

is

done

in

heaven,"

ye are not of the world,

have chosen you

all

out of the world," ''redeennedfrom

"**

iniquity,"

di

**

peculiar people," *' strangers," '* pilgrims," sojourners," " fellow-citizen with the saints

in hght," &c.,

rent of light
bihties,

communicated upon the peculiar

infinite

torrent after tornature, responsi-

and

blessedness of the
entered.

way up-

on which she had newly

And

in

answer

to the

inquiry.

Can you
?

declare this

great salvation to others

her heart responded,

at once,
if

Yea, Lord,
it

to

an assembled world
!

Only *' arm me with thy "Into thy hands I commit Spirit's might." my spirit ;" let it but actuate this body for the performance of thy good will and pleasure in and if at any time thou seest me all things about to depart from ihee, cut short the work in righteousness, and take me home to thyself,
be
at thy

bidding

"Tisdone! the
I

great transaction's done,

is

am my

Lord's, and he
I

mine

He drew me, and

Charmed

followed on,

to confess the voice divine.

Now

rest

my

long-divided heart,

Fixed on this blissful centre rest, Nor ever from thy Lord depart, W/th him of every good possessed."

THE WAY OF
THERE
IS

HOLINESS.'

BUT ONE WAY.

VIII.

SECTION

" Sanctify them through thy truth

Light from the eternal

thy
!

word

is

truth"

hills

Thou lamp River of God

Reaching

of life divine of

many

rills,

to all

mankind.
freight,

Laden with precious

Fresh from the courts above, Alike to all, both small and great, Thine embassy of love.

Gold were a thing of nought, Rubies of priceless worth,

Compared with treasures thou hast brought,

To

fallen

sons of earth.

precious, precious beyond all comwas the blessed word of God now to her soul. She had valued it before, but now, as she retraced the way by which the Lord had brought her, she saw that each progressive

O how

putation

50

"the way of

holiness."

step had been distinctly

to its requirements.

marked by a reference
reci-

Though often greatly advantaged by the

tal of the

experience of fellow-travellers to the

city,

heavenly

so

much

so that she greatly

loved the assembling of themselves together,

yet she found, on looking back, that former
perplexities in experience had

too frequently

arisen from a proneness to follow^ the traditions

of men, instead of the oracles of God.

She now found

and
this

that

''

there is hut one way^''

way

far

better,

and "

shorter'*'*

also,

by bringing every diversified state of experience however specious or complex, to compare with the " law and the testimony." And if not according to these^ became assured that it was because the true light had not shined there. From this period it became an immoveable axiom with her, never to deem an experience
satisfactory
that

could not be substantiated

*'

with an emphatic,

thus saith the

Lord,''''

On

getting into " the

way

of holiness," she

found that
her path.

much
Never

clearer light
in

beamed upon

former experience did

she so sweetly apprehend the truth of the

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

51

words,

*'

Thy

sun shall no more go down, nei-

ther shall thy

moon withdraw
mourning
shall

itself;

for the

I ord shall be thy everlasting light."

the days ofthy
It

"

And

be ended."
light that the

was while walking

in this

subtilty, maliciousness,

and power of the arch

became much more apparent, and would have become much more a matter of dread, were it not that by the same light she
deceiver
also

discovered, with the prophet's

his eyes

servant,

more were they that were for her than all that were against And then the knowledge that she was, her. in experimental verity, resting upon Christ,

when

were opened,

that

the anointed of

God, imparted such an increase

out of Jesus, her Saviour
full

of holy energy, realizing, as she did momentarily, that virtue

came

and Redeemer, for the

that she

supply of

all

her

wants, under every variety of circumstances,

was indeed enabled

to

obey the com-

mand, " Rejoice evermore."

And
it

then she

became

so divinely assured also that the "trial

of her faith

was precious,"

that

was not hard

to " glory in tribulation."

Her

perceptions of the absolute need of the

63

"the way

of holiness."

atonement were never so vivid as v^^hile journeying onward in this way.

She

felt

that

she

could not take one progressive step, or for one

moment

present an acceptable sacrifice, but

through the merits of her Saviour. Yet though

so deeply realizing the truth of her Saviour's

words, " Without

felt also that it

me ye can

do

nothing^^''

she

would not be

to the

honor of his

great name, should she not live in the enjoy-

ment

of that stale of salvation, in

^'

which she
all tilings

should be enabled to say,

I can do

through Christ which strevgiheneth

meP

In reference to temptation, she learned from experience that " the disciple is not above his

Master."

She ever found

that trials, well cir-

cumstanced

in fiendish subtilty, beset

her way.

But by the increase of

light that

her path as she entered the

beamed upon highway of holiness,

she r.ould now, with much stronger confidence, exclaim, " are not ignorant of his devices."

We

The remembrance was sweetly encouraging to

her soul, that the Saviour was
in
all

points

to

and had the same weapons to contend with, that the blessed Saviour used
like as are,

tempted

we

yet without sin

know

that she

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

53

Spirit,

when on earth was the

the

same potent sword of

*'

the

rejoicing of her heart.

find the

Yet she did not

highway
implied

of holiit

ness" a place for inglorious ease, but that

was indeed,

as

significantly

in

the

Scriptural phrase, " a

way,"

requiring, to her

mind, by the peculiar construction of the expression, interminable progression

!

And

yet she loved to call

it

the ''rest of faith,"

and joyously, as

illustrative of her experience,

said with the apostle, "

For we which have

believed do enter into rest."

Yet she could

not conceive of a rest sweeter to the follower

of Jesus than to do the
luill

of God.
imitation

The deemed
in

standard for
set

Christian

by inspiration

she

*'

Let that mind be

you

that

was

in

Christ."

And

conclusive
r^f

way

of

coming

at the

the most knowledge

duty, a reference to the Spirit and example

of Christ.
it

In conformity with these principles,

that she should regard

was not surprising

that state of soul that

would constrain the

dis-

ciple of Jesus to say, "

The

zeal of thine

house

hath eaten

me

up," as in any degree incompati-

ble with the assurance of having entered into

54

" THE

WAY
;

OF HOLINESS."

this state of rest

but regarded the proportion

in

which this conformity to Christ was reahzed, the amount of evidence of having entered into

the rest of faith

**

the

way

of holiness."

The

standard of Christian excellence being

thus fixed by the ratio of approximation to the

image of Christ, wherever she saw the characteristics of his loveliness

most clearly described,

more abundant was her love. She well knew that in the present imperfect state of existence, where we necessarily know but in part, and where perfection can only exist in the Gospel sense, which ordains that " love
the
be the fulfilling of the law^'' that there
is

need

for the constant exercise of that " charity that

is kind ;" and wherever most sweetly exemplified by she saw corresponding action, there was her heart most and though she was most enduringly united

suffereth

long,

and

this spirit

endearingly attached to the division of Christ's

body, where from infancy she had been graciously cherished, yet
the point of attraction

was centred

in

the nearest resemblance to the

;

image of the Saviour

and where the most

uniform exhibition of that mind that was in

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

55

Christ, inducing conformity to his will,

was

recognized,

her

heart

with most endearing

is

emotion exclaimed,

"The same

my

brother,

my

sister,

my
thus,

mother."

It

was

from what she deemed the

spirit of the

re-

quirement and
a foundation

blessed Bible, that

was

laid for a characteristic in

her

experience, which

was a source
;

of

much

satis-

faction to herself and oUiers

and she wonder-

ed not that one of blessed memory,- while walking in this "highway," should exclaim, here
"

Names, and

sects,

and parties

fall,

And

Christ alone

is all in all."

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION

IX.

" Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into

the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a

new and

living

way, which he hath consecrated

veil, that is to say, his flesh,

for

us through the

and having a high priest

us draw nigh with a true
faith,

over the house of God,

heart, in
full

let

assurance of

having our hearts

from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." New Testament.
sprinkled
It

may

be asked,

And how

did the process

in the

preceding nunnbers described, eventuate

in that disciple

being brought into the holiest

?

by

the blood of Jesus

Did the resolution

all

to be

a Bible Christian
secrate
all to

the determination
laying
to

to con-

God by

upon the

altar

of sacrifice

or

the act of entering into the

bonds of an everlasting covenant

the Lord's

bring

be wholly

about this entrance into the

?

new and
poses,

living

way

How

could these purresult in hav-

however well intentioned,

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY,

ing the heart sprinkled from an evil conscience,

and the body washed with pure water

aught but the blood of Christ do
this
?

Can
spirit,

Perhaps
inc^ui-

few with more conscious poverty ot would respond in tiie negative to these
ries,

than that traveller in the King's highway,

to.

whose experience has been alluded

*

Jesus,

my

Lord, thy blood alone

sufficient to atone,"

Hath power

were the confirmed sentiments of her heart. ** Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he by the washing of regeneration and saveth us renewing of the Holy Ghost" was the response ever uppermost in her heart in answer to such Yet she conceived that it was by inquiries. pious resolves that she was enabled thus these God cannot be to be a co-worker with God.
;

unfaithful, as

an absorbing truth stood

momen-

tuously before her mind, and

some

principles

founded on the faithfulness of God, by the

testing of
is

which she became assured

that

*'

it

a good thing that the heart be established in

:

grace," were these

God

has, in his infinite

58
love,

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

provided a way by which lost, guilty men may be redeemed, justified, cleansed, and
saved, with the

power of an endless

life.

Pro-

vision has thus been

made

for the

restoration

of man, by availing himself of which, in the

way

designated in the Scriptures,

he

may

regain that which

was

lost in

Adam

even the
soul.

image of God re-enstamped upon the

To
ten

bring about this restoration,

the Father

so loved the world that he gave his only begot-

Son,

who had from

of God,

eternity dwelt in his

bosom.
anointed

At the appointed time, Christ, the

was revealed, and, as our

of disinterested devotion
;

example, lived a

life

to the interests of

mankind

and as the

Lamb

from the foundation of the world, laid " tasted death for evehimself upon the altar
slain
;

ry man," and

'*

bore the sins

of the

whole
of
is

world

in his

own

body."

As an assurance

the amplitude of his grace, and that he

no

respecter of persons, he hath said, "

I

And

I, if

be

lifted up, will

spirit of

truth

draw all men to me." "The which proceedeth from the Fame."

ther,

he

shall testify of
office,

The

Spirit, true
sin,

to

its

appointed

reproves of

right-

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY,

59
the entire

eousness, and judgment.

And now
the

voice of divine revelation proclaims "a// things

ready

!"
!

The

Spirit

and

Bride

say.

Come
The

altar,

thus provided by the conjoint tes-

timony of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is Christ. His sacrificial death and sufferings
are the sinner's plea
;

the immutable promises

If

of the Lord Jehovah the ground of claim.

true to the
Spirit's

operations on the heart,

men,

as co-workers

with God, confess

their

sins, the faithfulness

and justice of

God

stand

pledged, not only \o forgive, but also to cleanse

from

all unrighteousness.

By

the resolve to be a

"Bible Christian,"
in

this traveller in the *'way of holiness," as a co-

worker with God, placed herself

the

way

for the direct teachings of the Spirit, and in the

one and the only loay, for the attainment of

the salvation promised in the Gospel of Christ,

inasmuch as
obey

it

is

written,

"

He became
all

the
that

author of eternal salvation to

them

him^ And by the

determination to consecrate

all

upon the

altar of sacrifice to

God, with the

re-

60

solve to "enter into the bonds of an everlasting

covenant to be wholly the Lord's for time and

eternity,"
this

and then acting

actually
the

in

conformity with

all upon the most unequivocal Scripture testimony, she laid herself under the most solemn obligation to believe that the sacrifice became

decision,

laying

altar,

by

the LorcVs ptroperty ;

wpon which
^^

the
^^

offering

and by virtue of the altar was laid, became

holy" a7id

acceptable."

The
the

written testimony of the Old and

to

New
was

Testament scriptures upon which,

obligation
for
this

her mind,

belief

rested,

brought out by comparing the design and bearing of the old and

new covenant
1, <fec.

dispensations,
altar
altar,

thus

The
was
it

old

ordained that an

be

erected; see Ex. xxvii.

This

pre-

vious to being eligible for the reception of offerings,

to

be

**

atoned for," cleansed, and

sanctified.

ing done,
altar

See Ex. xxix. 36, 37. was ordained by God

to be

This be" an

most holy ; whatsoever toucheth the altar Being thus proclaimed by the shall be holy" *' an altar most holy" it fiat of the Holy One

was by

virtue of this ordinance

that

whatever

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

holy,

61

touched the

altar

became

virtually the

LorcTs 'property sanctified

to his service.

The
in

sacredness and perpetuity of this

ordinance
th6

was recognized by "God manifested

flesh," centuries afterward.
tifieth

"

The

altar sanc-

the gift."

See Matt,

xxiii. 19.

As

the old dispensation but

to

shadowed

forth

good things
hope.

come, so under the new she ap-

prehended Christ as the^bringer in of a better " For their sakes I sanctify myself,
might be sanctified th'-ough the
*'

that they also

truth," said the blessed Saviour, in praying for

his disciples.

Neither pray I for these alone,

but for them also which shall believe on

me

Here she beheld the Christian altar so exultingly recognized by the apostle to the Hebrews, in contradistincHeb. xiii. 10, "We tion to the Jewish altar.
through their word."

have an
eat

altar,

whereof they have no right

to

which serve the tabernacle. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people

with his

own

blood, suffered without the gate.

Let us go
taketh

forth therefore unto

him," &c.

He

away
!

the

first,

that he

may

establish the

second

And

here she beheld an " altar most

62

"the way
If,

of holiness."

holy."

under the old covenant,

it

was

or-

dained, " Whatsoever toucheth the altar shall

be holy," her heart,

said,
*'

in its confident exultations,

How much

more

shall

the blood

of

Christ,

who, through the eternal

from dead works

Spirit, offered

himself without spot to God, purge your conscience

to serve the living

Here she beheld the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world It was thus, that by " laying all upon this altar," she, by the most unequivocal Scripture

God

!"

testimony, as she deemed, laid herself under

the most
sacrifice

sacred obligation to believe that the

became " holy and acceptable," and virtually the Lord's j^roperti/y even by virtue of the sanctity of the altar upon which it was
laid,

and continued

**

holy and acceptable" so

this

long as
altar.

kept inviolably upon

hallowed

At an

early stage of her experience in

the "
fully

way

of holiness," the

Holy

Spirit

powerxii. 1,

opened

to her understanding,

Rom.

" 1 beseech you therefore, brethren, by the

mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living
sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable

unto God,

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

63

which

is

your reasonable service," as corrob-

orative of the above

view of the subject.

she

From

these

important considerations
it

perceived that

was, indeed of the Spirit's teachings that she had been led to " enter into
the bonds of an
everlasting covenant to be

wholly the Lord's," inasmuch as by the removal of this offering from off this hallowing
altar,
*'

she should cease

to be

holy, as

it

was

the altar that she

now

discovered that sancti-

fieth the gift."

In

this light

she also discover-

was that all was so imperatively required, inasmuch as it was the Redeemer that made the demand for the *' living sacried
it

why

fice,"
spirit,

having purchased
unto himself.

ally

body, soul and

And

she wondered not

that an offering consciously not entire

by the

offerer to

be

less than all

known was not

aci.

ceptable,

inasmuch as God had pronounced/

such offerings unacceptable.

8, 13, 14.

See Malachi

And

that such an offering

received, even though the

was not reception of it was

she thought to
for

greatly desired

by the

offerer,

be scripturally accounted
prophet,
ii.

by the same

13.

And

that

such a one could

64
t

"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS.

7iot

believe

while

still

halting

between the

world and an entire surrender, she thought

fully explained
*'

by the words of the Saviour,

How

can ye believe

who

receive honor one

of another, and seek not that honor that

eth from
to

Com-

God

only ?"

And

this

she believed

be the hindrance with thousands of profes-

sed disciples

who

hear the sayings of Jesus,

to

and desire holiness, and yet by refusal

to his terms,

come
;

affirm that his sayings are hard

and too manyalsogoback,and follow the Saviour

no more, notwithstanding he so confidently and persuasively affirms, " If any man will do his
will
It

he shall know of the doctrine,'^ &c.

was on coming
to realize

to this altar that

it

she was

enabled
tions

how

was

that the devo-

of

the believer while resting here are

"unto God a sweet savor of Christ," inasmuch as no other service can be '*holy, acceptable," unto God, but as presented through this medium.

The duty

of believing, as also of having a

for faith
to rest

Scrijytural foundation

upon,

she regarded as important, assured that

God

had so explicitly given,

in his written

word, a

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

faith,

65-

thorough foundation for our

to hide in the heart, she
lief so disJionoring to

and with

this

saw

the sin of unbe-

God, that she wondered

and unbeHeving" should
rest,

not that the

'*

fearful

be excluded the believer's

and numbered

by the Revelator
ionship.

in

such revolting compan-

And thus, as has been related, she found the " shorter, the one, and the only voaij^'' of which
it

is

said,

" the redeemed of the Lord shall

walii there,"

by surrendering

all

to the

Re-

deemer, venturing believingly, the entire being

upon Jesus!

perimentally, the truth of his declaration,

Resting here, she proved, ex"I

am

the way," and

was enabled
it

to realize

con-

tinually the

purifying virtue

of his

atoning

blood, and to testify that had " offered himself up

the people with his

was not

in vain

he
she

that he

might sanctify
the blood

own blood;" and though

it

apprehended
sin,
it

that

was nought but

of Jesus that could sanctify and cleanse from yet she was also scripturally assured that

was needful

for the recipient

of this grace,

as a co-worker with God, to place himself believingly

upon "

this

altar that sanctifieth the

66
gift," ere

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."
all-

he can prove the efficacy of the

blood.

cleansing

Gracious

intentions,
vsrere

and
not

strong desires,
sufficient to
sults
;

she was hung about

convinced,

these important re-

corresponding action was also necesthe offering

sary

must be brought and bethe altar, ere the accept-

lievingly laid

upon

ance of

it

can be realized.

In this crucifixion

of nature, the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and

workelh mightily

to loill

but man must

for

act.

As
offerer

illustrative, in a

degree, of her views of

responsibility,
at

she would refer to a would-be

the

Jewish
to

altar,

months grasacrifices

ciously

intending

present

the

by the law, yet deferring, from a variety of causes, seemingly plausible, lo comrequired

ply with the requirement by handing over

gift, until

his

the law which he had ever

acknow-

ledged "just and good," cuts him off from the

community of his people. And thus she apprehended that many who graciously intend to be holy, by laying all upon the Christian altar,
from various seemingly plausible causes are
delaying to comply with the requirement,
'*

Be

ye holy,"

until, at

an unlooked-for hour, the law

THERE
that

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

67

they have ever pronounced

"just and

good," excludes them from the community of

the redeemed, blood-washed

company

in

hea-

ven.

Yet she

also found that one act

of faith

is

not sufficient to insure

a continuance in the

"way
was

of holiness," but that a continuous act

requisite.

**As ye have received Christ

Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him," was an

admonition greatly blessed
to

her soul.

As-

sured that there was no other

this state of

way

of retaining

grace but by the exercise of the

character, presenting all

same resoluteness of and keeping all upon

the hallowed altar,

and

also in the exercise of the

same

faith,

she

was

enabled, through the teachings of the Spirit,

*'to

walk by the same

rule,

and mind the same

thing," and for years

continued an onward

walk in the "way of holiness," Being thus impelled by a divine constraint to test every progressive step by the powerful
persuasive, "

Thus

it is

written,"

she became

increasingly confident in her rejoicings, " that

her faith did not stand in the wisdom of men,

but in the power of

God

;"

and instead
o

being

68
**

vacillating in

her experience," as had been

so painfully suggested, she

to

was enabled

daily
in

become more firmly rooted and grounded

It

the faith, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

was

thus, as has

been

stated, that through

the Spirit's teachings she

was ready

to give

an answer to those that asked a reason of her

hope, and these teachings were communicated

most peculiarly through the medium of the

written
ivord.

Through

each

succeeding

year of her pilgrimage in the heavenly way,

she learned to place a yet higher estimate upon
its truths.

The

nearer she drew to the city of

her God, the clearer the light that shone upon

its

sacred pages, proclaiming

;

it,

to

be the

word

OF THE Lord

and as she continued

time, leaning on
its

to pass

down through

sacred de-

clarations, she verily believed herself to

be as

divinely sustained as though to her

outward
herself

perceptions she

knew and could feel

leaning for support upon the "Faithful" and " True," " with vesture dipped in blood,"
called

by

the

Revelator,

the

*'Word

of

God

!"

THERE

IS

BUT ONE WAY.

69

Thy

statutes have been

my

song in the house of

my

pilgrimage. "
Blessed Bible
!

David.
love
it

how

How
What

it

doth

my bosom

cheer

hath earth

like this to covet,

0, what stores of wealth are here

Man was

lost, and doomed to sorrow, Not one ray of light or bliss Could he from earth's treasures borrow,

'Till his

way was cheered by

press thee,

this.

Tes,

I'll

to

my bosom

Precious word, I'll hide thee here Sure my very heart will bless thee,
Speak,

For thou ever sayest, " Good cheer !" my heart, and tell thy ponderings,

Tell

how

far thy rovings led,

When

THIS book brought back thy wanderings,

life

Speaking

as from the dead.

!

Yes, sweet Bible

I will

hide thee

Deep, yes, deeper in this heart

Thou, through

all

And

in death

my life we will

wilt guide

me.

not part.

Part in death 1

No! never! never!

I '11

Through death's vale

lean on thee

Then

in worlds above, for ever,

still

Sweeter

thy truths shall be

BOOK

II.

"THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

NOTES BY THE WAY.

SECTION
I.

" Gather up the fragments that nothing he Saviour.

lost.''''

The

" And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee and to prove thee, to know wliat was in thy heart, whether thou wouldst keep his commandments or no. ^ And he humbled thee and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know that he might make thee know that men doth not live by bread
;

only, but

by every word that proceedeth out of the

moi^th of the Lord doth

man

live."

Deut.

viii. 2, 3.

reviewing the entire way, by which Lord had brought her onward llirough the pilgrimage of life, she saw the faiththe
fulness
of

On

God

exhibited throughout,

in

manner calculated permanently

to assure

her

74

"the way of holiness."

heart that with

ableness, neither

him there shadow

life

is

in truth "

no

vari-

of turning."

At the dawn of
to parents to

she had been entrusted

whom

the Father of spirits

said,

''Take
felt

this child

and bring

it

up

for

had me."

They
vored

the solemn responsibility, and endea-

to train

her up for God.

God

did not forget to encourage their efforts.

He

watered the seed sown, by the dews of

grace, from her earhest recollections.

"When

not four years old, powerful conviction for sin

gave assurance that the Holy Spirit was true

to the

performance of
for

its

promised

aid.

Though

many happy

years she was ena-

bled to testify with perfect assurance, that she

had passed from death unto

cise time

life,

yet the pre-

when

that

change took place, she

to

could never state.

like

Not

have an experience,
the

most others born

into

kingdom of

Christ,

who

are so fully able

from the over-

whelming circumstances of the occasion to state the precise moment, was a fruitful source
of temptation, resulting in years of painful solicitude.

From

a child

it

was her

error to treasure

up

NOTES BY THE WAY.

in careful

tions, that are

remembrance those outward exhibigiven by many sincere disciples,

In the

of the inward workings of the Spirit.

proportion that these were manifested, she

was

too often led^by these erroneous impressions, to

pronounce upon the magnitude of the work

wrought

in the heart.
felt

Not unfrequently she

like

weeping beif

cause she could not weep, imagining that

she

could plunge herself into those overwhehning

sorrows, and despairing views of relationship to

come and throw

God, spoken of by some, that she could then herself upon his mercy with

greater probability of success.

Over and again

in wrestling

after

having had a long season

with God, she would, as a last resource, say, " if thou wilt but direct me by thy

word, and permit

suited
to

me

to

open

to

some passage

my

case, I will, through thy grace

its

assisting

me, abide by

decisions.

And

at

several never-to-be-forgotten periods did the

Lord condescend
swers of peace
in

to give the
this

manner.

most direct anFor a time

she would rejoice in the consolation received,

and glory

in

the

assurances of the blessed

76

"the way of holiness."

as in verity the voice of

word

God

to

her soul

but soon as the freshness of these visitations

passed over, would again give way to dissatisfaction with her experience.

This dissatisfaction did not generally arise, from the consideration that the experience was
unsciiptural, but from the fact that

unlike what she conceived to be the

it was so manner of

the Spirit's operation on the heart of others,

who, as she conjectured, had received the

assurance of acceptance in some such luminous

manner, independent
irresistibly to believe.

in part

from scriptural

demonstration, that they had been constrained

Uncertainty and spiritual depres.^ion were

the consequences resulting from these repeated

turnings

away from

the feeble testimony of

surprising while this

word of the Lord to men. And it is not course, which was so disthe
in

honoring to God, was

in, that

any degree persisted

comparative deser-

she should be

left to

tion.

Yet this was for years her course. Sometimes during this period, the adversary of souls tried to urge upon her mind that the ways of the Lord were unequal intimating
;

NOTES BY THE WAY.

that he

77

ual illumination on

bestowed a much larger share of spiritsome than on others, when

that she

the true state of the case was,

was
she

possessed of the

spirit of

Naaman,
that

or of the

unbelieving Jews

resolved

unless

should see signs and wonders she would not

believe.

On

reviewing this portion of her experience,

she afterward saw that the ways of

God

could

not have been justified, in imparting any other

state of experience than that of uncertainty
spiritual depression,

" If ye

will

and inasmuch as he hath said, not believe, surely ye shall not be

all

established."

Yet, notwithstanding

this

waywardness,

she greatly desired

soul,

God

as the portion of her

and often

felt

as if she could say, that his

life.

favor

was more desirable than

spirit,

With deep

groaning of
its

her heart gave utterance to

emotions
" Let
'

in saying,
in
!

me no more My leanness
all

deep

coraplaini;,
!'

my

leanness

cry

Alone consumed with pining want,

Of

my

Father's children I."

" Believe

onlv

believe,"

was

the oft re

78

"the way of holiness."

;

peated admonition of the friends of Jesus

and

her heart would as frequently silently ejaculate, " but what, and how am I to believe ?"
till

she

seemed
tion,

to her

became almost wearied with what an almost unmeaning admoniit

unaccompanied, as
about

most generally was,

she acknowledged

with the necessary explanations.

When
tion,

thirteen

herself before the world as a seeker of salva-

and united herself with the people of God.

night about this time, after having wrestled
till

One

with the Lord

about midnight, she sought

the repose of her pillow with feelings expressed

by

the poet
*'

I'll

weary thee with my complaint, Here at thy feet forever lie,

sick,

With longing
Oh, give

with groaning faint

I

me

love, or else

die."

when with
by
its

She believed herself to have fallen asleep, a power that aroused body and mind
heavenly sweetness, these words were
to

spoken

her inmost soul,

" See Israel's gentle Shepherd stands,

With

all

engaging charms

See how he

calls the tender lamhs,

And

folds

them

in his

arms."

NOTES BY THE WAY.

79

The

place

seemed
she

to

shine with the glory

that the blessed

of God.

And

felt

Sa-

viour indeed took her to the

bosom

of his love,

and bade her be " of good cheer."

light, joy,

All

was

and peace.
recollection of ever having heard

She had no

the sweet lines before, and regarded

spoken directly from the

herd
years book,
to her heart,

lips of the

them as good Shep-

but on observing them some

in

afterward

Sabbath-school

hymn
at

she conjectured that the words might

in

have been seed sown

very, early age,

her infant heart

in

when cherished

one of these

nurseries of the Lord.

The

consolation at this time derived

was

of

several days duration, but she again yielded to

her former unwise course, and began to measure herself by the standard of experience ex-

pressed by others, instead of going to the law

and the testimony, as enjoined by the word

and
to

it

would, as before observed, have been

inconsistent with the declarations of that word,

have enjoyed an established state of expe-

rience, while indulging in such a course.

Had
v/ould

she taken " the sword of the spirit,"

it

80

have guarded the way of

and prevented
" For
this

life

and happiness,

waywardness, by presenting

the admonitory sentence of an inspired apostle,

we

dare not

make

ourselves of the

num-

ber, or

compare ourselves with some that commend themselves, but they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves

among themselves,

are not wise."

See

2 Cor. 10: 12.

Had

she only taken the word of the Lord as

the

closely to

companionship of her heart

after years,

during this part of her pilgrimage, as she did

in the

pathway of
it

when

she sought
all

unto

as the

man

of her counsel under

circumstances of

difficulty,

she would have

found
" Here light descending from above
Directs the doubtful feet

Here promises of heavenly love Our ardent wishes meet.

Our numerous wants are here redrest, And all our wants supplied Nought we can ask to make us blest.
;

Is in THIS BOOK denied."

THE WAY OF HOLINESS.'

SECTION
O'er
life's

n.

rough ocean wave

I

Fast was

going,

By

threat'ning tempests driven, and billow tost,

Anil surges deep of

woe
!

My
Oh,
all

soul o'erflowing
lost

seemed

without thee

lost, all lost.*

all seemed dark and sad, So lone and dreary, For scarce a kindling ray my pathway crost Thick darkness gathered round

Yes,

My
My

soul so weary.
all

Without thee

was

lost

in night-shade

lost.

star of earthly bliss

Set in deep sorrow

One glimpse from thee had all its And not one gleam of light
Could
it

lustre cost,

e'er borrow,

For

in thy lucent

beams

it all

was

lost

all lost.

At

another lime, about a year subsequent to

to,

the period just alluded

* Originally

the

Lord again

suggested from seeing the device on a seal

guiding a small boat, with his eye fixed on a star, and this motto, " If I lose thee I am lost."

of a

man

82

"the WAV OF HOLINESS."

night

greatly comforted her soul during the

season.

She had
till

again, as on the former oc-

casion, been for a long time wrestling earnestly

with God,

nature

had become wearied

when on falling asleep, she dreamed that she was standing without. The canopy of a beautiful

midnight sky was spread out above her

the

firmament was cloudless, and the

silently

full

moon was

walking the heavens.

seemed hallowed to something unusual reigned, but her eye was intently fixed, and her mind all absorbed by the attraction of
stillness, that

a bright star.

Presently

it

begaiv to

enlarge

and widen
(as she

its circle,

wider and yet wider, when

still

continued lo keep her eye fixed on

it

the point where

first

began

lo rest) the

form

of the infant Saviour was words were proclaimed, " For unto us a child And is born, unto us a Son is given

presented, and these

his

name

shall

be called

Wonderful, Coun-

sellor,

lasting

The Mighty God, The EverFather, The Prince of Peace.

In the meantime, while these words were

being proclaimed, the circle had continued ra-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

pidly to widen, until the

whole heavens had

become

encircled in one glow of glory.

The happy experience of succeeding years, when, by keeping her eye steadily fixed upon
the day-star fronn on high, her spiritual horizon

had become enlightened, and as she had continued to gaze, had rapidly taken in yet wider

and

still

wider circles of glory, until the whole

firmament of her soul had become radiant with

its blissful

beams, assured her that

this

commu-

was intended to convey a greater infinitude of meaning than her feeble capacities comprehended at the time. It was not until she had received Jesus as
nication

her

full

Saviour, and her spiritual heavens had

been lighted up by the revelation of Christ to her soul as the Wonderful Counsellor, The

Mighty God,
any thing

the

Everlasting

Father,

the

Prince of Peace, that she was enabled to have

like .proper perceptions of the infinite

condescension of

God

in this

communication.

It was then that she exultingly sang

My
I

faith

hath caught the gaze,

;

now

behold thee

84

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

And now let tempests wing their Thy mildly melting ray Beams sweetly o'er me

chilling frost,

Bat without thee I'm lost in darkness

Oh, yes, thou hast arisen
In beauteous splendor,

lost.

Thy

radiance pure

still

rests

my

path across

And homage
I'll

at thy shrine

ever render,

Till in

thy light I'm lost

forever

lost.

Yet, though this was in a measure blest to

her soul, at the tiaie

to assure

when

given, and tended

her heart more confidently of the gra-

cious designs of Infinite

the impression soon passed

Love toward her, yet away and she re-

lapsed into her former habits of reasoning and

unbehef.

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION
"
in.

Come

and

let

us reason together."
the Lord.

The word of

Being

naturally

much
;

given to reasoning,

seldom disposed

to credit

an assertion without

an ostensible wherefore
stitutional

she sometimes almost

closed in with the suggestion, that her con-

temperament was so greatly

in faith,

to

her

disadvantage, that she need scarcely expect to

be strong
turally

imagining that persons na-

credulous,

had

in

spiritual

matters

greatly the advantage of those that required a

specified reason for
belief,

every specified item of

most cautiously examining step by step

to tread firmly.
this

the validity of the ground, ere the venture be

made
Yet

very

trait

of character, that she

had

habituated herself to regard as so unpropitious,

when brought into obedience to Christ, was made subservient to her spiritual advantage. She afterward found that God did not re-

86

"the way of holiness."

her to believe any thing but what was

quire

thoroughly substantiated by the requiremerds

that

of his written word. And became convinced it 'was not only her privilege, but also
her duty by the express declarations of

made
ward

that word, to test every step as she passed onin the

heavenly way, by a careful searchf

ing of the Scriptures in order to prove the validity of each step as successively taken.

This course she found

to

be necessary, not

only for the establishment of her

own

soul, in

order to be rooted and grounded, so as not to

be easily moved away from the hope of the

gospel, but also a prerequisite not to be dis-

pensed with,
to those that

if

she would honor

God by being
fear,

able to give an answer with

meekness and

asked a reason of her hope.

But she

lost

beyond

all

calculation by thus

lingering for years in this comparatively unde-

cided course.

Some
who
in a

estimation of the irre-

parable loss sustained

allusion to one
to build.

may

be conceived by an
is

given time

required

He

lays the foundation, and begins

edifice, but fearful of
it,

to

advance with his

some

mistake, he overthrows

and then again com-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

87

mences uprearing
made, perchance,

it,

and

after again

having

still

higher advances, again

reason.

demolishes for the same

And

this

was precisely her unwise course. It was not until she was enabled through grace, to resolve on ceasing to have her mind influenced irt its decisions of her state, by a reference to the experience of others, and deter-

mined with a resoluteness not

enabled to
life.

to

be shaken,

to

take the Bible as her counsellor, that she

was

make much progress in the divine But when she came to this decision, the
began mightily
will
to help

Spirit

her infirmities.

The hour
every

never be forgotten when, with

a settled purpose of soul, she looked abroad on

motive

of

earthly ambitioo,
all

and de-

liberately counted

things lost, for the ex;

cellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ

it

was then
opened

that the Spirit said encouragingly,

and
is

also assuringl}^
.

"A

door great and effectual

but there are

many

adversaries."

From
there

that

moment

she became more underthan ever before,

that

standingly convinced

were

foes for her to face, and

became

88
truly

"the way
aware of the

of holiness."

significant import of the in-

quiry,
" Must
I

be carried to the skies

On

flowery beds of ease,

Whilst others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas ]

Are there no foes for me to face 1 Must I not stem the flood 1
Is this vile

'

world a friend to grace,

To

help

me onto God^"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION

IV.

iaying unto

t.ie,

who

are

these which are

arrayed in white robes'?

and whence came they 1 And I said unto him, thou knowest. And he said unto me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their
robes and

made them white

in the blood of the

Lamb."

St. John.

From
follower

this

time she became assured, that no

less devotion of spirit is required to carry the

of

Jesus

unpolluted

through

this

present evil world,

than that which bore the

martyrs through the flames.

And
in

she won-

dered not that

it

should be said

reply to the

inquiries relative to the blood-washed

before the throne, "

These

are they which

company came

out of great tribulation."

She then thought of the observation of the Wiseman, "The diligent hand maketh rich."
Also of the student that trims the midnight
8

90

" THE
in
;

WAV

OP HOLINESS."

lamp,

order to be skilled in mere earthly

science

and resolved that every consideration

to
:

should be subservient to this one prominent

motive of ambition, viz

be well skilled in
if

the science of holy living

child of mortality
sit
is

judging that

the

-would thus rise early

and

up

late,

and eat the bread of carefulness, as

not unfrequenily the case, in order to accu-

mulate earthly knowledge, and often with no

higher aim than earthly distinction,

more should

the child of immortality,

how much who has

by

commenced an ever-enduring
tigation, study to

existence,

careful diligence, and patient, prayerful inves-

show himself approved

in the

sight of

God and man, by having

the deathless

spirit well skilled in the

science of immortality.

From
ture

that time the intimations of the spirit en-

couragingly assured her that this spiritual cul-

would not only

tell

on the pages of time,

but would also speak on the records of eternity.

And

the infinite propriety of preparing the soul

for an entrance into the

abode of immortality

became most apparent.

heaven.

And

the

literature

of the Bible she believed to be the literature of

NOTES BY THE WAY.

It

91

was with

the importance of these senti-

ments deeply written upon her heart, that she began to imitate the example of the Saviour,
and
rise

while the world around her were yet

slumbering, in order to commune with God, " search the Scriptures,^^ and to present afresh,

through the atoning Lamb, her body, soul and

spirit,

with

all

her redeemed powers, to

existence,
altar,

God

in

order that her whole

by being
might be

thus renewedly laid upon the

ready for the Master's use in any department

of labor to which he might appoint, whether

with her family or the world around her.

And

here

it

might be well

to state that in

reference to the

she proved that

it

members of her household, was not an unmeaning serGod's ancient

arose early and presented the

vice, to follow in the footsteps of

servant Job,

who

individual members of his family before the mercy seat, by presenting the offerings, ordained by God, in their behalf, in order, through this medium, to crave the acceptance of their perEven thus she found it to be a very sons.
satisfactory

exercise, to present

through the

merits of the sin-atoning sacrifice, not only her

92

own

soul,

but also the case of each individual

for

member, imploring
its

them

individually that

they might be permitted, through

the

mer-

of Christ, to abide as in the presence of God,

under the direct rays of the sun of righteousness, during the day.

And

often

had she reason

to observe through-

out the day that not only the

members

of her

household, but also her house, which had also

been specially consecrated

to

God, were hejd

spirit,

under a divine influence, and the

" Which, as a peaceful dove,
Flies the abode of noise

and

strife,"

Was

felt to

be brooding over that household, in

suppHcations of the early hour.
to

answer
ful

to the

Thus prepared

spend the day

in

the peace-

presence of God, they loved,

when assem-

bled around the family

"

altar, to sing,

How

happy, gracious Lord, are we,

;

Divinely drawn to follow thee

Whose

hours divided are

Betwixt the mount and multitude,

Our days are spent in doing good, Our nights in praise and prayer.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

93

With us no melancholy void, IVo moments linger unemployed, Or unimproved below

Our weariness of life
is

gone,
alone,

Who
The

live to

serve our

God

And

only thee to know.

winter's night and summer's day,

Glide imperceptibly away,

Too short to sing thy praise Too few we find the happy hours. And haste to join the heavenly powers,
;

In everlasting lays.

With

all

who

chant thy

name on

high,

And

holy, holy, holy, cry,

A
And

bright

harmonious throng.
to repeat,

We long thy praises

The new
It

ceaseless sing around thy seat

etereal song."

was a prayer frequently presented,

to rest short

that

the Spirit

might so urge her onward, that she

might not be permitted

state of grace

made
it

possible

of any by the death, and

the present intercession of the Saviour.

She believed

to

be a duty imposed by the

highest obligation of love, on every professed

follower of the Lord Jesus, to endeavor

by

all

possible means, to give a faithful representation

94
in llieir

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

individual experience of the power of

grace

to

transform to the uttermost.

of responsibihty

The weight

resting

upon
of

those that lower the standard, by an unfaithful

representation, either
b}?-

the Hving

epistle

an unholy

life,

verbal, or in written
to

commutre-

nications, she

saw

be

in

consequences so
that

mendous,

that she

was assured
its

eternity

alone could determine

fearful

magnitude.

She

believed, in accordance with Scripture

testimony, the sentiment comprehensively expressed by a recent writer, " Christ has taken
glorified

humanity

to

heaven, in order to repre-

sent us before the throne of mercy, and hath

left his

followers to be his representatives on

earth

and she verily believed that

fair

much

of

the infidelity, depopulating God's

ions,

domin-

and so rapidly peopling the regions of

is

despair,
in life

owing

to the

untrue representation

and sentiments given by a vast majority

That infidelity would of unholy professors, be the consequence resulting from these failures, and the correctness of the allusion just given, she saw to be directly inferred from the
words
of the Saviour, (John 17
:

21

23.'

NOTES BY THE WAYIt"

95

was

in

view of these tremendous responshe so greatly desired to be urged

sibilities that

onward by the persuasions of the Spirit, in order that she might apprehend that for which she had been apprehended by Christ, " and be
able to give before the world a fair exhibition,

in

every department of

life,

of

whatsoever

things are honest, lovely, pure, and of good report.

And

in her

domestic relations, as well

as in those termed

more

spiritual

duties, she

often prayerfully presented the inquiry,

" But where can
I

resemble thee,

And in thy God-hke nature share 1 Thy humble follower let me be, Thy blessed likeness let me bear.
Pure may
I be,

averse to

sifi,

Just, holy, merciful

and
or

true,

And

let

thne image formed within,

all

Shine out in

I say

do.''^

When

she

first

made up her mind

to the

that every

earthly consideration

should be in the lowest

degree subservient

prominent object of
consecration,

attaining the witness of entire

she had no other expectation than that of entering heart and soul into

her earthly cares

96

"the way

of holiness."
this lesson

again, for ihe

Lord had written

worse than an

up-

on her heart, '*He that careth not for his own

household
is

infidel ;"

and she

did not, at this interesting point of her ex-

perience, intend to neglect

them, but only

resolved that they should cease to be absorbing

until this
this

assurance was gained

and

it

was

at

precise point in her pilgrimage, that Al-

mighty grace gained a signal victory over a

naturally over-anxious spirit.

She never afterward saw

ter heart

it

necessary to en-

and soul into the otherwise vexatious

cares with which the mother of every family

is

surrounded, but found, after having chosen with her whole soul " the better part" that she

could ever sing,

" Lo,
I

come with joy

to

do

My
Him
in

blessed Master's will

outward works pursue,

serve his pleasure
still.

And

Faithful to
I still

my

Lonl's commands,
part,

would choose the better

Serve with careful Martha's hands

And

loving Mary's heart.

I

Careful without care

am,
toil

Nor

feel the

happy

NOTES BY THE WAY.

Kept
in

P7

peace by Jesus' name,

;

Supported by his smile

Joyful thus

my

faith to

show,
reward,

I find his service ray

Every work I do

below,

I do

it to the

Lordy

And yet she never regarded a minute observance of the admonition, " Whatsoever tilings
are true, honest, just, pwre, lovely reportj'
as

and of good more sacredly and scrupulously

binding, than from the period

tion v^ras

when

the resolu-

made

that they should cease to he ab-

sorbing.

From that time she felt that God was as much concerned in
ternal
in closet duties.

the

honor of

judicious, ex-

and internal household arrangements, as

By

the effective, pure, and

lovely order, and

works of
taught
lesson.

symmetry pervading all the God, she felt that man was being
ever-enduring

an ever-speaking and

But by a

careful attention to the instructions

of the blessed

word,

she

found

that

much

which had formerly augmented her cares was easily to be dispensed with, without any in-

THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS.

fringement either on the happiness of others or

her

own

and

in

many

respects

extremely

contrary wise.

Take,

for instance, the

admoni-

tion contained in the" prophetic sentiment, " In that

day

horses,

shall there be upon the bells of the Holiness unto the Lord, and the

pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls

before the altar
;

yea, every pot in Jerusalem

to

and in Judea shall be Holiness

the Lord

OF HOST."

By

this

she observed that there was nothing

right to
to

with which she had a

either too

do that was
be inscribed

high or too low as not

with,

"Holiness UNTO the Lord;" and she

resolved not to give her approval or to permit

her time to be absorbed with any pursuit that

would not unequivocally bear this inscription. And she gained, beyond all calculation, by
resolving not to venture on questionable ground
in reference to these things.

'

'*0

wish

could always be as happy as you

are," said an aged professor to her one day.

felt

She

deeply humbled by the observation, and

hardly

knew what

to

say in reply, thinking that

NOTES BY THE WAY.

to disclose the secret of her happiness

99*

reproving to the aged

sister.

would be But on looking to

God, she
dare

felt that

it

was required that she should

" that she did not
as she be-

say, to the glory of grace,

to

be otherwise than happy,"

lieved one con:imand to be equally binding as

another.

God had

said,

"be

careful for nothing,

but

in

every thing by prayer and supplication,

let

with thanksgivings

your requests be made

shall

known
passeth
hearts

to

God, and the peace of God which

all

understanding

keep your
Jesus."

and

minds

through

Christ

The Lord knew," she continued to say, "that we should have cares, otherwise he would not have made provision for the disposal of them,
as he has done,

"

by inviting us

to cast all

our

care

upon him, with the assurance

that he
to

careth for us, thereby

empowering us
in

comever-

ply

with

the

requirement,

rejoice

more,

pray without ceasing, and

^"^

every

thing give thanks.

And

she

felt

that these

divine requisitions could not be complied with,

without taking the most minute things, as well

as those regarded as of the greatest

magnitude

152815

100
to

God.
:

It

was her habit

this

to decide the

mat-

ter thus

" Is

of as

much consequence
?

to

me
*

as a hair of

my

head

If so, I will

make my
said,

request

known unto him who

hath

bered.'

the very hairs of your head are "

num-

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION
V.

..." That the

tried with fire,

trial

of your faith being

much more
it

precious than that of gold that perisheth, though

be

might be found

to

be unto praise and

glory and honor at the appearing of Jfesus Christ."

Peter.

One

day, after having given to

a friend a

narration of the

way by which

the

Lord had

brought her, and stated a variety of experience,

trials

by the way, and the manner in which she had been enabled to overcome, &c., the friend
remarked something expressive of surprise and
gratitude in reference to the Lord's instructive
dealings.

" O," said she, in return,

the

*'

this is

Lord takes to instruct and discipThat which is learned by line his children. experience is much more deeply written upon the heart than that learned by mere precept.
the

way

Passing through
acters

this painful process, the les-

sons of grace remain written in living char-

upon the mind, and we are better able to

9

102
tell to

"the way of holiness."

the travellers coming after us, just how and where we met with this and the other difficulty, how we overcame, and the peculiar

lessons learned by passing through this and

that
trial,

and thus be not only advantaged

in

our

own

experience, but helpful to fellow pil-

grims."

Scarcely had she finished speaking,

when

the

prayer that
the extent

*slie

might be made a monument of

saving

of

grace to transform the

the Spirit to her

heart and

life,

was brought by

remembrance, and the inquiry was presented

whether she would be willing
should be granted,
plishment,
it
if,

that the petition

its accomwere needful that she should be

in order for

called to pass

through

trials

unheard of

in

magnitude and duration ? An unutterable weight

of

responsibility

rested upon her mind, and she hastened to

prostrate herself in solitude before God.
felt

She
the
astell

that

it

Spirit, that

was an inquiry proposed by searcheth all things, and was

eternal destiny.

sured that the decision of that hour would

momentously on her

She thought

of the various, complicated and

NOTES BY THE WAY.

103

lengthened

trials,

transmitted by the inspired

page, also those that had met her eye and ear,

most formidable
after

in

magnitude and duration, and

having weighed the matter, that she might

prostrate on her face

not ask to be baptized with a baptism that she

was not
said,
*'

able

to

bear,

before the Sovereign of heaven and earth she

Lord,

now renewedly

give myself

into thy hands, as clay in the

ter, in

hands of the pot-

order that thy whole will and pleasure

may
tion

be

accomplished

in

me.

Let the

peti-

be answered.

Let thy power be mani-

fested to transform and save to the uttermost,

though

trials

of inconceivable magnitude

may

await me.

I rely

upon thy
I
T

faithfulness.

-Thou
But
if

hast promised that

shall

not be tempted
bear.

above that which

am

able to

thou seest, at any time,

my

faith

about to

fail,

remove the

trial,

or cut short the

work

in right-

eousness, and take

me home

to thyself; suffer

me not to live to dishonor thee." The seal proclaiming her wholly

the Lord's

was now more deeply enstamped, and she realized from that hour that she was taken more
closely to the embrace of infinite love, and had

104

"the way

of holiness."

cast anchor deeper within the vail.

Ever

after-

ward,

in

passing through

the

most painful
so fully

complex

trials,

she found blessed satisfaction in

referring to this period

when she had

counted the cost.

In reference to religious associations, and
early culture, being

taught from a

child

to

know

the

Scriptures, and

made

familiar with

the writings and experience of those

in generations

who

had,

passed away, been lights

in the
life

religious firmament, and in

more mature

favored with the pious example and precept of

a true yoke-fellow in the gospel, with the nu-

merous advantages resulting from being thus favorably circumstanced, it might indeed be
said that the lines
places,

had

fallen to her in pleasant

yet she proved, notwithstanding all these gracious considerations, that the " seris

vant

not above his Master."

to

Yes, she was called

endure

trials.

To

the observation of those unacquainted with the

christian warfare, such a statement could hardly

be understood or accredited.
the

Consequently,
to

number

of those that

knew just how

Probably

sympathise was not great.

for this

NOTES BY THE WAY.

105 called to

reason, in part, she

seemed seldom
she

dwell upon the particulars of those deep mental

conflicts,

which

was permitted

to

endure,

when

she was called to wrestle, not

against flesh and blood, but against principalities

and powers, &c.

conflicts

These mighty

were repeated yet

again and again, and through each succeeding

with each conflict it seemed, while engaged in the contest, as though it had reached the summit of human endurance, yet the succeeding one was found to be pro:

year of her pilgrimage

portionate

in

magnitude

to

the

increase

of

strength that had been gained

trial,

by the former

and the intermediate interval, for growth knowledge and spiritual stature. These trials, though they sometimes arose from outward causes, yet these were generally
in

merely the occasion.

the midst of these she

The

conflicts

were

in-

ward, and were in depth indescribable, and in

was often called to lean naked faith, upon a naked promise," that nature was sometimes tempted in its shrinkings, to say, '* My God, why hast
so entirely " with

thou forsaken

me

?"

but

still

holding w^ith an

106

"the way

OF"

HOLINESS."

unyielding grasp upon ihe pronnise, " 1 will

never leave nor forsake thee."

that the Saviour
vi-as

And

believing

treading

*'

the wine-press

alone, and of the people there

was none with

to this expres-

him," when he gave utterance

sion,

she was checked ere she had given utterto the thought,

ance

and instead of indulging

in

these words, which none but he

who

"WeptMiat man might smile,"

need use, she

"

said in the language of faith,

My

God, thou hast not forsaken me."

"THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION
.
.

VI.

" That ye
for

may know

the

go

ye have not passed

this

way by which yc must way heretofore."

Joshua.
"Patient the appointed race to run,

This weary world we cast aside From strength to strength we travel The New Jerusalem to find.

on,

Our labor

this our only

aim

To

find the

New

Jerusalem.''

She

verily believed that the entire cour.?e of

the traveller journeying to the heavenly city,

may
*'

be onward and upward,

Ye have

to

pass a

way

that

ye have not
forty

passed heretofore," said the courageous Joshua

to the

unbelieving Jews,

who had been

years accomplishing in zig-zag,

and almost

aimless wanderings, a journey that might have

been performed
taken years.
It

in

fewer days than they had

was

thus, she conceived, that

many

pro

108

"the way of holiness."

fessed followers of Jesus, in consequence of

unbelief,

necessarily ending in disobedience,

are years in accomplishing that

which might

have been performed

in

fewer days.

No

scriptural reason presented,

why

each

successive day might not witness the heavenly

traveller at a higher point of elevation in his

homeward
she
felt

course, than the day previous, and

assured that there should not be a per-

fect rest of spirit, without this assurance.

In

the early part of her career in the

ness, she resolved not to

way

of holi-

be satisfied without

the assurance that she

advances in " the way of holiness."

start in the

was thus making daily the knowledge and love of God

She was much encouraged when about to way, by an observation from one

wdio had
said he,

made
*'

considerable progress. "More,"

is

to

be gained by one act of faiths

it."

than could be accomplished by years of painful

toiling

without

The justness

of this state-

ment she had cause

to observe, not only

from

a review of her own'experience, but also strik-

ingly exhibited in a variety of instances that

came under her

observation.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

109

Oh
one

said one of Christ's

little

one's to her

da)'-,

v/ho had but three days before reif

ceived the spirit of adoption, " I feel as

could not rest short of any thing that

privilege to enjoy."

is

my

This was

at the close of

a social meeting, "where the witnesses

had just

been testifying of the efficacy of the blood of Jesus to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

"I

feel," she continued to say, ''that I

want

to

be holy

must

he holy /"

The

sister

assured her in reply that the very

desire for this blessing,

was a sure
it
it,

intimation,

of not only the willingness, but the intention of

God

to give

it,

and that

was only

for her to

persevere in looking for

obtain
it.

in order speedily to

She returned

home

wrestled
came
of the

with

God

Jacob-like during the night, and about nine

o'clock the next morning
Israel.
off a prevailing

Having found

the pearl, she ran with

intense eagerness to

tell,

power
at

of saving

grace, to ''sanctify throughout body, soul, and

spirit,"

and the

fruits

that

were

once and

continuously apparent, gave abundant testimo-

ny

to the

genuineness of the work.

110

"the WAY
tiine,

OF HOLINESS."

At another

on meeting with a youth-

ful disciple, the friend that introduced

him

to

the notice of this child of Jesus, said by

introduction, " this
flock."
is

way

of

one of the lambs of the

On

addressing herself to him she said,

" brother, I

am

told that

you

are one of the

lambs of the

flock,

and as such, did you ever

?

think what a sweet resting place you have

You know, Jesus carries the lambs in his bo som, and now what may you not ask with the expectation of receiving ? Surely he now says
to you, *ask

what ye

will

and

it

shall

be done

unto you.'

He
and
told

expressed a longing desire for holiness,

felt that

he could not be fully prepared for

it.

every good word and work without

She

him

that the

Almighty Saviour loved him

earth
it

so well, that
for

when on

was not
in

too

much

him

to

spend the whole night

prayer on

a special occasion, and asked whether he felt

the need of the blessing enough to be willing

to

do likewise.

She then

related for his ad-

monition and encouragement the case of the

Canaanitish

woman

of the blessed Saviour

the

seeming inattention
the discouraging ob-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

servation of the disciples

Ill

the apparent repulis

siveness of ihe alUision, "It

not
it

meet
to

to take

the children's bread, and to cast

dogs."

She assured him

the
trial

that this

of the faith of this

blessed Saviour's heart

was permitted for woman, and that the was doubtless all the

time melting with love and desire to impart to

her the desire of her heart, but was only waiting to

make her an honorable example

to all

succeeding generations of victorious faith

perseverance, and humility.

He
at first

concluded

to wrestle

with

God

until the

blessing

was given, notwithstanding he might seem to be repulsed and about two or

;

three hours afterward, while crying. Lord, sanctify

me now

the blessing

was given

in

such

power, that body and soul was o'erwheinied

with the divine presence and glory.

Another brother, who had, during a meeting

for social worship,

expressed a strong desire

to

be fully conformed to the will of

things,

God

in all

was asked by

this sister,

on returning

from the meeting, whether he was really so

much in earnest on the subject of holiness, that he would be willing to make a present effort

113
for ihe
tinfie in

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."
it,

attainment of

by spending a

little

conversing, and in making an effort to

it

obtain

hy faith.

He

replied that he

be willing

to try alt night if

he thought

it

would would
re-

do any good.

She
the

referred to the

sacrifice

that

God

quired of Abraham.

assurance that

Gen. xv. 7 19. And. Abraham must have had

in his

own mind

of the intention of

God

to ac-

cept an offering that he had himself demanded.

brother acknowledged the reasonableness Abraham's faith, and also the manner in which God would have been dishonored had he dared to have doubted the ultimate acof

The

ceptance of his sacrifice, notwithstanding the

heavenly

fire was so long delayed. She then assured him that God just at that moment was demanding a sacrifice at his hand. He had also more explicitly pointed out the nature of that sacrifice, and was now beseechingly, by the voice of his word, requiring that

he should present
fice

it.

(See

Rom.

xii. 1.)

She asked whether he was willing

body, soul and
spirit to

to sacri-

be laid upon the be

Lord's altar a living sacrifice, never to

NOTES BY THE WAY.

113
*'

resumed
will

He
it

replied,

" Yes."
*'

But when
the help

you do

?" said the sister.

it

By

of the Lord, Twill do

?20i^,"

he replied.

pause of intense interest ensued, when, the

sister

perceiving

that

another step must be

taken ere he had entered, said, "but, brother,

do you do
tion,

it

now
DO
!"

?"

moment

of hesita-

and he exclaimed,
I

" Yes, glory be to

lips

God,
viour

do

and with most joyful

in

he began
;

to rejoice

Christ

as

his full

Sa-

and continues

to the

present day a joy-

ful traveller in the King's-

highway.

On
for

one occasion, a brother

to

who had been

his

some time endeavoring

have

goings

established in the "

way

of holiness," expressed
all

himself as quite confident of having laid

upon the
other

altar.

"And

will not
sister.

God

receive

the offering ?"

asked the

" I have no

evidence
is

than his word," he replied.

.?"

"

And

not that sufficient

said the

sister,

surprised at his incredulity.

"What!
he

believe
!

with

no

othei^

evidence ?"

exclaimed
of

Wounded
lightness

at the evident,

though unintentional
authority

with

which
10

the

the

blessed word

was regarded, she gave her

114

"the way of holiness."

views, in

answer

to the last inquiry, thus

call in

Suppose, brother, you should

with a

much

loved friend, in

whom
;

you had the most

unbounded confidence you begin to make a statement of some circumstances with which I

am

greatly interested

when through with the

'^

narration, I say, ''and

be so

how do you knoiv this to What evidence have you of its truth ?"
air of satisfaction

With an

and confidence, you

turn to your friend and say,

my

friend

saw
it."

the whole transaction and informed

me

of

With disappointment,
ther,
is

I exclaim,

" why, broit ?

that the only

have you no other evidence

feel grieved,

way you know of /"' Would you

not

and think that I had greatly dishonored your friend ? The brother burst into tears, and replied, " O I never thought
!

of unbelief in that

way

before."

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION vn.
*'He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath ONE that judgeth him the word that I have spo:

ken, the same shall judge him in the last day." Saviour.

The

"

way

The Lord seems to have one peculiar of leading me onward, in all my experiwho
desired instruction

ence," said this traveller, while conversing, on

one occasion, with one

ness."
*'

in reference to getting into the

"

way

of holi-

have been called, in the

''

first

place," she

continued to say,

to take the

word op the
and just

Lord,

to

examine myself by
its

its tests,

so far as I have found

promises suited to

my

condition, just so far I have rested

its

most

confidently upon

truths.

And

having preif

viously

made

the resolution, that

possessed

of these tests, I would venture, whether

my

feelings warranted the conclusion or not, as-

116

"the way of holiness."

sured that heaven and earth shall pass away,

before one jot or
shall fail
;

little

of

all

that

he hath

said,

have invariably found, that just have made the venture,

the

so

soon as I

foundation upon which I rested, firm as the

pillars of eternity P^

While repeating
relative

the

words

last

mentioned,

to the firmness of the

foundation, a

stronger conviction of the Scriptural propriety of the course she had been divinely impelled
to pursue,
tlian

she ever before

felt,

was im-

parted, and with this, a sudden and vivid recollection of a

dream which she had several years

previous, which, during the intervening years,

seemed to have been entirely forgotten, but which now, with the freshness of yesterday,
passed before her.
liad

"

!" slie

exclaimed, " I
five

such a singular dream, four or

years

since,

which was precisely prophetical of what

spirit

has since been my experience. " It was thus I thought my

:

had

left
;'

the body, and entered the spiritual world

found every thing there very unlike

fore conjectured.
'

had be-

What

state is this

I en-

quired.

'

This

is

the middle state,'

was

the

NOTES BY THE WAY.

reply.
*

11^

The middle
a great

state!'
is

said

I,

'why,
state.'*

they say, on earth, there

'

no middle

They have

many

strange conjectures

on earth, such as they have no foundation for from the word of God,^ was the answer.
*

And what
*

is to

be

my

state here
1'

eagerly

said the spirit, chi*Your stat-e why, you have had the Bible the dingly, WORD OF THE LoRD and by this you should have tried yourself, and known what your stale was, before you came liere, but since you have it no more with you, if you can think of but one passage by which to test yourself, by this you may just as well know what your stale will be now, as by leaving it till you are called before your Judge, for it is hy this you are to he

inquired.

judged.^
*'

Never before did

have such a view of

the infinite importance and eternal bearing of

*

The

allusion

was

to the well
hell,

known words,

"

A heaven

and

and that alone

;

Beyond the present time is known There is no middle state."

The sentiment

contained in which

is

not at

all at

rari-

ance with the views

at this time received.

118

"the way

of holiness."
il

the

WORD

OF

as truly the

God I saw ihat word of the Lord,

;

was

in verity

as though audi-

bly uttered from the heavens, and thus arrest-

ing continuously the outward ear, as well as the

inward perceptions of mortals.

*'

thought of the various denominations

left,

in

the world that I had

who,
*

in

expressing
say, 'I beso,'

their doctrinal peculiarities, lieve

so,'
*

would
I

and another,

believe

and

thought,

O why
!

did not every one run, with

aloft,

Bible

in

hand, raised
!"

crying,

*'

The Bible
'

says so The Bible says " But the all-absorbing, unutterable desire

"

so ?"

of

my

heart,

now, was

to

bring to

remem-

brance some passage, by which

to try myself.

Yet the overwhelming consideration, that all was now past change, and that my eternal destiny was pending on the decision to be thus made, seemed so momentous, that the uncertainty of one minute was unendurable. The
intense anxiety and hurry of spirit to bring to

remembrance some passage by which might be decided, was too much for
tering spirit while
in
its
still
it

the point
the flut-

encased

in the

body, and

strugglings,

awoke

to the

consciousness

NOTES BY THE WAY.

that
it

119

was

still

with the body, on the shores of

time."

At the time when this dream occurred, her mind had been under an unusual influence for
several days.

She had withdrawn her

its

atten-

tion, as far as possible,

from every thing that

it

might divide
of God, in

purposes, and centered

in

the aim, to get an assurance that she

was

a child

some such luminous

that there never

or extraordi-

nary manner
But,

might be a shade

of plausibility in the temptation to doubt.

notwithstanding

the

many

toilsome

iiours thus spent, she seemed to

the

mark

than

come no nearer when she began. And it was

dream alluded
to.

while engaged in these apparently fruitless endeavors, that she had the
It

has since been cause of astonishment, that the

lesson so evidently intended to be
ted, v/as not

apprehended.

communicaBut seemed to be

regarded

at the

time as merely admonitory, that

to

she was about

exchange worlds.

From views

of the unseen, world, other than

those mentioned, assurance took possession of

her mind, that she had been permitted to take

a glance into the spiritual world.

Views

of it&

120
realities,

^'thk

way

of holiness."

both

Scriptural and rational,

were

brought abidingly within the range of her perceptions, unlike she had everbeforehad any con-

ception

of.

Often within a few weeks after

it

its

occurrence, she resolved on noting

down, but

was

driven back from the pursuit by a shrink-

ing persuasiveness that she supernatural things.

was dealing with

it

After a

fev*r

months, the recollection of

it'did
it

seemed

to

have passed away, so that

not

return to

memory

for

years,

until

was so

vividly presented on the occasion stated.

The
cal/'

intervening experience, to which special

allusion

was made when spoken of as "prophetiwas thus : The " prize of holiness" had been presented by the dictations of the blessed
word, as an attainment toward which, every renot only aspire,

deemed one should

possess

but also

the

rightful heritage of the believer.

Yet, whenever her aspirations were the most

ardent, the suggestion
that
it

was

the

most powerful,
in

were better

to

be thorough

" the prin-

ciples of the doctrine of Christ" Jirst, before

going on unto perfection.

This was so repeatedly, or continuously the

case, that she

began

to

see the suggestioa

NOTES BY THE WAV.

calculated to keep her ever toiling at
ciples, forbidding niost
first

121

prin-

effectively an

onward

progress in the school of Christ. About this time " Philips' Guides"

came
to

under her observation, and she was greatly en-

couraged by some Scriptural advice given

suant to counsel there
given,

those similarly exercised with herself, and purresolved, and

most solemnly covenanted with God, that if there was hut one passage in his word by which she might test herself, and know that she was a new creature, she would never doubt again ; but would resolutely believe irrespective of

frames and feelings.

She then took this passage, " As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Previous to this, she had taken as
the motto of
life,

" Entire devotion of heart

and

life to

God^
?
*'

She now asked, what has

and led to correspondSpirit of

induced

this resolution

ing action
^epl5^

The

God," was the

And

this

was

the

most conclusive an-

swer

to

each inquiry, after having made a minof the

ute examination
action.

motives impelling to

Knowledge

sufficiently convincing for

123

"the way

of holiness."

the full establishment of her faith, assuring her

that she

was a child of God, from this time beamed upon her mind. Most truly might it
said,
flight."

now be

" Meridian evidence puts doubt to

sibility,

Not one temptation bearing a shade of plauwas ever, from that hour, presented to
she greatly rejoiced, that

her mind, of adoption into the family of Christ.

And now
point.

God had
that

so

long borne with her, in bringing her

to this

On

retracing

all

the

way

the

Lord had brought her from

persuasively directing her

infancy, she

now

observed that the urgings of his Spirit had been

mind away from the

uncertain traditions and example of the fallible

creature, to the only Infallible

Standard

The One

The

Living, ever-enduring, ever-

speaking Standard of the only wise

God

Ever appealing as a voice from the Throne of the Eternal, saying, ** There is One that JUDGETH YOU THE WORD THAT I HAVE SPOKEN, the SAME SHALL JUDGE YOU AT THE LAST DAY The wisdom of this Mighty Counsellor, which she from this period took yet more
I

NOTES BY THE WAY.

123

closely to the companionship of her heart, in

no part of her heavenward course, seemed

more apparent, than in the manner in which she became confirmed in this assurance of divine relationship. Had she depended on merely joyous emotions for this witness, when those
emotions had subsided, and she required to

walk by

faith, the

the emotion.

witness would have fled with But here the blessed, blessed

word ever stood the same. It was but to know that those tests of divine relationship were still maintained in her own heart, in order to be assured that it was still her
privilege,

though

in heaviness

through manithe confidence

the

fold temptations, to rejoice in

that there

was

the

same word, even

there
is

word
to re-

of

Him

" with

whom

no variableness,

neither

shadow of turning," \ipon which

pose, resting here, well might she, with an unutterable

degree of confidence, proclaim the

foundation firm as the pillars of eterniti/.

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

SECTION vm.
" Therefore leaving the
principles of the doctrine of
;

Christ, let us go on tinto perfection

not laying again

the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of

faith

toward God."
" Soul
!

now know
sin,

thy

full

salvation

Rise o'er

and

fear,

and care

Joy

to

know

in every station

Something still to do or bear. Think what spirit dwells within thee, Think what Father's smiles are thine Think that Jesus died to win thee Child of heaven can'st thou repine 1
;
!

Haste thee on from grace to glory, Arm'd by faith, and winged by prayer Heaven's eternal day 's before thee, God's own hand shall lead thee there.

Soon shall close thy earthly mission. Soon shall end thy pilgrim days Hope shall end in full fruition. Faith in sight, and prayer in praise."
;

But

little

progress,

comparatively,

was
to ad-

gained by the almost unceasing efforts

NOTES BY THE WAY.

125

Vance

in

the heavenly way, until the successful

at,

endeavor, just glanced

was made; from

that

period, through the omnipotence of faiih, she

gained daily victories over the world, the flesh

and Satan.

One
stated,

of the

most

signal victories obtained

to the

immediately subsequent

experience just

was

at a

meeting

for social

worship.

few

disciples,

whom

grace had

empowered

to testify in experimental verity of Christ as a

full

Saviour, had given testimony to that eifect.

A view of the impartiality of God in

his

dispensing

favors flashed across her

mind with such

power, that her heart exclaimed with Peter, " Of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons."

At once she began

If I

to cast in

her mind thus

am

but willing to
for the

means,

make use of the same attainment of the same state of

grace which these friends profess,

surely give
it.

God

will

She then formed

the resolve that she

would

make use

of every possible

means

for the at-

tainment of the blessing.

11

In doing this she

126
felt

the sacred responsibility of having lifted

her hand to God, and immediately on an opportunity offering, she proved the sincerity of

her heart, by acting correspondingly.

Tn making a frank statement of the views

and intention that had just been influencing her

mind, she
that
felt that

a snare

was

at

once broken
of

had bound her

all

for years.

The duty

making confession with

before her of

the mouth,

had stood
if

duties the

most formidable,
she

but she
should

now formed

the resolution, that

literally die in the struggle to

overcome

nature, that she

would be a martyr

in the effort,

rather than that Satan should triumph,

A victory

that told advantageously on all the

life

subsequent pilgrimage of

was here gained,

into

and the progressive steps were now rapidly

taken,

by which she was ushered

the

King's highway.

Aware

of the proneness of the heart to forget

*' Thou shalt way which the Lord thy God ... in the wilderness, to hum-

the admonition divinely enjoined,

remember
ble

all

the

hath led thee

ihee and to prove

to

thee,"

she

resolved
in

from that time

be more diligent

noting

NOTES BY THE WAY.

127
Spirit's

down,

for future

remembrance, the

gracious leadings, some of which stand briefly

recorded as follows

Feb. 23, 18
waiting

For some days past

my

soul has been longing after

at

God

have been

Jerusalem for the promise of ihe

Father

blessed be

God

the Father, the

Son

and the Holy Ghost, that

my

waiting has not

been

in vain

my

faith

has been as the dawn;

ing of the morning, clearer and yet clearer

and now the calm sunshine of God's presence

illuminates

my

soul.

The
that

precious words, "

Whereby

are given

unto us exceeding great and precious promises

by these ye might be partakers of the

divine nature," were applied to

my
I

soul with

much power
them,
as
!

this

evening.

Yes,

comprehensiveness and depth of

I

saw such meaning in

had never before apprehended.

indeed to be
?

What
the
glad,

am /
earth
!

made

a partaker of

divine

nature

Shout,

heavens

be

And

shall I indeed,

even

I,

who have been

comis

so fearful and unbelieving, be yet able to

prehend,

with

all

saints,

what

the length,

138

"the way of

holiness."

breadth, depth and height of the love of Christ?

Shall

/ know
God
?

the perfect love of

filled

God which
with the
ful-

passeth knowledge, and be

ness of

Yes

I shall

be changed from glory to glory,

until I shall

be

made
it

like unto his

!

own

glori-

ous image. surance

tells

Glorious hope

The

faith of as-

me

shall

be

so.

I never before

felt so truly as though all in

Christ were mine.

He who

withheld not his

own
me.
to

Son, will not withhold any good thing from

Henceforth,
all

Lord, I covenant afresh,

devote

my

powers more decidedly than

Wilt thou ac-

ever to thy reasonable service.

cept the offering,

deemer? ment that me the power were given, not to live one moment longer to myself. May my consecrated
all,

O my Saviour and my ReIf so, O let- me feel from this mothe sacrifice is received. O that to

from

this hour, in the strictest sense, glorify

Thee. I would that the time past should which I have been so ungrateful,
render thee a whole-hearted service.

suffice, in

as

not to

Praised

be the Lord

my

strength and righteousness.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

that he has

129

honored

me
it

of late, by permitting
I

me

to

bear his hallowed cross.

will

now,
greatI

through grace, choose

est glorying.

as cause of

my
:

Lord,

strengthen

me

am
and

weak, but thou

thou art

art everlasting strength,

my

portion.
I

Feb. 24.

have often

felt

as though

God

had called
I

me

peculiarly to a

life

of holiness.
in this

have also

felt that in

order to be led

way, the path

Well, thanks be

of self-denial
to

must be mine.
me,
in

God

that he has given

a gracious degree, a disposition to walk in the

way

of his appointment.

From
in

the depth of

my

heart I can say, through grace, that I have

deliberately chosen to
cellent

walk

the

more exto
it

way, even though the highway

trials

may

be by passing through
I

most conheavenly

trary to nature.

know

that

my

Father loves me.

He

will not require

me

to

do any thing but what will be eventually for

my
And

good, and the glory of his great name.

is it

not

my

greatest desire that his

name
his

should be glorified.
cross.
Spirit, I
If,

Then let me

not shun the

by following the motions of

can win souls to Christ, and thus lay

130

"the way of

holinkss."

up

treasure in heaven, shall motives of nnere

worldly prudence, unsanctioned by grace, deter

me

Shall

lean to

my own
him
?

understanding,

when he has
world
tread
is

declared that the

wisdom
Rather

of this
let

foolishness with

me

onward in the footsteps of Him who was a **man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."
Feb. 27.
of

Glory be

to

God

that I

have

this

day been enabled

hope.
I

to resolve to follow the faith

Abraham, who, against hope, believed

in

now

repose in the promises of the

unchangeable Jehovah, believing that what he

has promised he
is

fully able to perform.

in

His

promises are
sus.

all

Yea and Amen

till

Christ Je-

may I

never rest

I
is

have the witness

the temple of an
full

of the Spirit, that

my

heart

indwelling

God,

and possessed of the

confidence that Christ reigns supreme on the

throne of

my

affections, bringing

every thought

into obedience to himself.

This

is

the blessing which I fully believe

God

has in reserve for me, **For this

my

cry

shall never cease."

For several days past the

every breath has been a

eye of

faith

has been so intensely fixed on this

point, that almost

NOTES BY THE WAY.

131

breathing after
establish
fully

it.

Lord,

with

me

the

make me holy new covenant.

:

Thou

hast said, *'I will sprinkle you with clean

water,

and ye

shall be clean
all

from

all

your

filthiness

and from

your

idols will I cleanse

you."
I feel that I

have
faith

deficient, and by not exercising that which takes God at his word. That faith
lost inconceivably,
is

have been greatly

which
*'

apprehended
it,

in the
I

simple illustration,
it."

God

hath said

and

believe

When

looked
ful

at in this light,

O how
I

exceedingly sinthe veracity

1,

does unbelief appear.

tiie

Doubt

of

immutable Jehovah
Shall I

Shall

worm

of earth, dare doubt the

tent

God?

word of the omnipolook upward and ask the

word? Spirit Lord Jesus make

fulfilment of a promise, with a feeling of hesitation

whether God

will fulfil his

it.

of Eternal Truth forbid

me

strong in faith.
I

June 17.
I

have of

late

been enabled, by the

help of the Spirit, to improve in experience, and

have found

it

good

to

appeal to him

who can

be touched with the feelings of my infirmities. He knows the strength and sincerity of my de-

132

"the way of

holiness."
I

sires to serve liim fully.

have been pleading

all

the

promise,
I

"

They
in

shall

be taught of

God."

triumph

the expectation that I

shall be enabled, through the Spirit's influence,

to perfect holiness in the fear of
I

God.

have placed the standard of Christian ex-

cellence high, and have asked strength of

Om-

nipotence to be enabled to reach the summit of

my

desires.
is

**

My
the

heart

is

fixed

God,
nature,

my
or

heart

fixed !"
will,

and though the opposition of a

infirmities

perverse

of

crosses indescribably varied,

progress,
I

may

oppose

my
be

trust,

will yet, through grace,

I long to be made a onward and upward. monument of what the grace of God can effect on a once rebellious child of Adam. Oh, this

am

sure

is

a holy ambition, and

I

authorised
to

by Scripture.

have been enabled

prayer
this

spend
1

much
feel

time
I

in secret

week, and

that

have received a new degree of

;

strength for the holy effort

but

how

little to

what

might have received, had

my

faith

been

more
faith

active and vigorous.

Lord increase

my

and enable

me

ever to

go on from strength

to strength

NOTES BY THE WAY.

13S

June
I

18.

have thought,

in

view of the im-

portance of time, that

if governed

by some

rules,

might, perhaps, better accomplish

my intention

it more exclusively to holy purposes, and cause every moment to be more effectually

of devoting

written on the annals of eternity.

rise at four
;

propose to
devo-

lo

spend from four

to six in

tional exercises, reading the Scriptures,

&c.

from

six

till

nine in various necessary domestic

;

arrangements, family devotions

ted to prayer
;

half hour devo;

till

twelve in
;

a season for
if

prayer before dinner

one hour,

possible,

from

five to six, in

devotional exercises

if

not

practicable, as soon afterward as

the time can

be obtained
taken that
rules.

resolved that

much

pains shall be

no encroachments be made on these Also that the young persons in my

Bible-class shall be daily

stated

remembered in approaches unto God. I would

my
also

here resolve that I will endeavor, in the strength

of the Lord, to take up every cross, determine

never

to
it

shun

it,

to take

up

in

when convinced of duty, but the name of the Lord, and trust
consequences
;

the

Lord

for the

also that the

attainment of a clear Scriptural faith shall bo

134

most prominent
Lord.
ple in a

in

my

petitions

before

the

This
life

regard as a fundamental princi-

Each morning shall renewed dedication of all my redeemed powers to the Father, Son and Holy
of devotion.
also witness a
Spirit;
still

farther resolved, I will unceasingly

aim

at enfi7'e

devotion of heart and

life to

God.

The Lord
June 24.

help

me

in the performance of these

resolutions.

In consequence of
all

ill

health,

have

not been able to observe

the resolutions in

my

last

an

alteration
in

in

domestic arrange-

ments has
purposes
;

also,
I

a measure, frustrated

my

regret that I do not with greater

equanimity of feeling bear the thwarting of

purposes.
grace.
its

my O how much I need establishing know O yes, 1 feel that is, in all
it
;

me and yet I live without it. O when shall my heart be circumcised, to love the Lord my God wit*li all my
richest plenitude, for
lieart?

July 27.

The Lord

reigns

unrivalled in
affections
;

my

heart; he has
past,

my
I

supreme

for

some days
heart-felt

have experienced such a

assurance
of

want of the

being

NOTES BY THE WAT.

135

cleansed from
that

all

unrighteousness, to

know

the motives

influencing every thought,

word and

action, originates

from

pure founI

tain, that I last

evening resolved that

;

could

no longer do without it between the hours of eight and nine, while pleading at the
throne of grace for a present fulfilment of the

exceeding great and precious promises

plead-

ing also the fulness and freeness of the atone-

ment,

its

unbounded

efficacy,

and making an
spirit; time,

entire surrender of body, soul

talents

and

and influence

and also of the dearest

ties of nature,

my

beloved husband and child

a//,

in a

word,

my
God

earthly

I received
;

the assur-

ance that

the Father, through the atoning the sacrifice

Lamb, accepted
emptied of
self,

my

heart
all

was
idols,

and cleansed of

from

all filthiness

of the flesh and spirit, and

realized that I dv^^elt in God, and felt that he had become the portion of my soul, my all
in ALL.

Since which, though I have been exercised

by many temptations
but temptations.

to question the extent of

the work, j^i, blessed be God, they have been

The

Spirit of the

Lord hath

136

"the way of

holiness."
I re-

raised up a standard against Satan, and

joice in the assurance that

more

are ihey that

are for

me
;

than

all

that be against

me.

My

faith in

the reality of the

that instead of
it

work grows
being pre-

stronger

I feel

its

sumptuous
I to

to believe,

the Spirit of

my

would greatly grieve condescending Saviour, were

to

doubt the all-sufficiency of his grace

sustain
ing.

me

in the full to the

enjoyment of
Father
!

this bless-

Glory be
!

glory be to the
!

Son

glory be to the
!

Holy

Spirit

my

Triune

God my all in all. As my heart has been, of late, much drawn out after God in the night season, for this inestimable blessing, even when my bodily powers
have been under the influence of sleep
pectations were

my

ex-

much
the

raised last night,

and
to*"

almost
sleep,

my

last thoughts, ere I

gave myself

Lord would manifest himself much more gloriously. What was my surprise on awaking in a most frightful dream, I thought I was standing in the back room, when a loud knock was given at
were,
that

the door

from the unseasonableness of the

hour (being about eleven,) and the know-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

137

ledge

that

all

the inlets

of

the house

had

been some time previously secured, I knew that something must be wrong, but aware that
I

was equally
I said,
*'

in

the

power
in,"

of the

intruder
;

whether

"come
in ;"

or

otherwise

firmly said,

come

when

a personage of
fiend-like in

more ferocious countenance and

in.

every particular than I had ever witnessed, came

" Is the

in ?"

he demanded,
is in

in

a very

authoritative tone.

"

He

the front room,

on the

sofa,

replied,"

thinking that as he
I

passed through the folding doors,

could run
house,

behind him and give the alarm

ere any injury had happened

to the

my

dear husband.

In the effort to scream for assistance, I awoke. It was suggested, " You were expecting

some unusual manifestation

tablishment of your
faith,

for the further es-

and where, even the

usual tranquillity and breathing after

this not

God

Is

enough
in

to

convince you that you were

mistaken

the exercises of last evening?"

There was something so taunting and fiendish in the whole matter, that I was sure it must be
Satan, and as I had resolved that
I

parley with him one moment, aware that 12

would not I have

138

"the way of holiness."

to

no power nor wisdom

contend with an ene=

my

so exceedingly subtle, I

gave the wliole

matter over into the care of my covenant-keeping God, and again sunk sweetly to repose in
the

arms of Almighty Love.

About an hour or two afterward, I again awoke but, O, the change, I was aroused
:

" Behold I, you that ye walk worthy of " An vocation whereunto ye are called." gel an angel !" said I, aware that it was

by an inward

voice, saying,

an
the

angel, beseech

an-

not

the

exact phraseology
I

of

Scripture.
!

With
soul did

these words

awoke, and

how my

exult in Christ as
viour.
I

my

full,

my

complete Sa-

was reminded
in

of the blessed Saviour's

;

temptation
that

the wilderness

also of the angels

afterward came and ministered to him.

witness was

The

now

given, with indisputable

;

clearness, that I had not believed in vain

full tide of

the

joy flowed into

my

soul.

My
came

beloved husband,
in the

who had been some

this blessing,

months past

enjoyment of

in just after I

had risen from

my

knees

returning thanks for the manifestation just received.

He

had been from home on profes-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

sional business,

139

since the

evening previous,
in

and had

-not

heard of the manner

which God

had blessed me, and when

I related lo

him the

exercises of the evening previous, the

way

in

which Satan had

tried to disturb

my peace, and
Amazing
to

the manifestation just received, he rejoiced with

a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

condescension

cannot find words

express

my

views of the blessedness of

this great sal-

vation.

July 31.

Still

the

Lord

is

with me;

my
hath

contests have been severe with the powers of

darkness, but the

Lord
I

my Redeemer

strengthened me, and

have more than con-

quered

have obtained a

of faith,

and the Lord has,

much greater increase in much mercy,

established
tions
;

my

goings beyond

my

expecta-

I feel that

he

is

hourly establishing his

kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, more firmly in my heart. Yesterday and to-day the hand of the enemy has been, in a great measure stayed, and the
Comforter has said
to

my

soul,

"Israel now shall dwell alone With Jesus in his heart."

140

"the way of holiness."

!

Glorious hope

how my
T

soul exults in

it.

As
from

the

duties of the Sabbath have of late

been rather arduous,

this

had been led

to

think

and also other considerations, that

temptations would abound, and I earnestly entreated

God

for strength to resist

but

how

delightfully did I realize that

all

my

enemies were
Since which

gone.

Never before

did I so fully enjoy the

presence of an indwelling God.

my

heritage has been the deep, solid peace of

spirit,

a calm, composed

resting in

the

em-

brace of Infinite Love. The breathing of soul is, " The will of the Lord be done."

my Do
usebest

with
ful.

me

as

seemeth thee good. Make

me

Place

me

in

circumstances as

may

suit the

purposes of thy grace for the attain-

ment
I

of this object.

Only

let

me

labor in thy

vineyard, and choose thou the lime and place.

would

gratefully record the

blessing of

God on an endeavor for ?ast week Miss B

the conversion of a soul

.

went, by the resister,

quest of our pastor, to

visit

her

who had
sister

experienced religion
previous.

at the altar the day but one

Both Mrs.

and her

but after having received

NOTES BY THE WAY.

a saiisfactory account from Mrs.

141

of her
if

conversion,

turned to her sister and asked

she did not desire a h'ke blessing. " I do not know that I ever felt the need of
it," she replied, in a very repulsive manner, and doubtless with the expectation of eluding
all

further attennpts.

Aware

of the intention

of her repulsive remarks and manner, and as-

sured that she had been guilty of the awful

lymg against the Holy Ghost, a holy boldness seemed to seize me, and with yearning of heart, I began to set before her the awful nature of the sin she had just committed, by denying the work of the spirit. "What," said
sin

of

I,

"never

felt

yourself a sinner," in need of a

said, that there is

Saviour,

when God hath

It

light that enlighteneih

every one that comeih

!"

into the world?

cannot be

I felt that I

by a power beyond myself, while endeavoring to persuade and warn her to flee the wrath to come. It was thus I endeavored to sow the seed, and left the event with God. The next even-

was

assisted

ing she went forward for the prayers of God's

children, and last night she

was brought most

142 clearly into the light of his countenance.

my
it

soul,

magnify the Lord

My heart needed
order to nerve

encouragement of

this kind, in

more firmly for August 2. By

future effort.
faith

ye stand. This is hourly

;

verified in
tive

my

experience

for

were

it

by posi-

demonstration from

any of the grosser

senses, the eye of faith had ere this been closed,

and
felt.
!

my

soul left in a state of darkness to

be

shall I ever loose this blessing

have

lately gained,
?

and which
for

I still
I

which I by faith

retain

This blessing
?

which
it

have so long

struggled

My
my

heart recoils at the thought

also partook of
it

yes, and

nature too, for

the living intensity with which

was sought.
need not
it

Blessed be
lose
it.

God

forever,

I feel

that I

My

heavenly Father will not take

I

from me.

He knows
it.

could not answer the

left his

purpose for which his son

behalf, without

bosom

in

my

is

That the enemy of all righteousness contends It would be were it how much I need to be otherwise. But filled with the knowledge of the will of God,
not matter of surprise.
!

NOTES BY THE WAY.

143

with

all

wisdom and

spiritual understanding, in to

order to be better able

to

withstand, and also

understand the wiles of

I feel that I

my

foe.

do grow

in

the

knowledge of

my
cy

Saviour, though not so fast as

tions
is

would have borne me. But

of thee,

my expectamy sufBcienset apart

Lord.
to

am

thine
;

yes,

sanctified

thy

service

so says

the

breathings of

my

soul to

Last night, the

my adorable Jesus. Lord my Redeemer conthe things

descended
reveal

to take of to

of

God and

them

me.
very powerfully sug-

The enemy had been

gesting throughout the day, and indeed

of the time since I received the

much

blessing, has

been spent

in

struggHng against the temptation,

that 1 believe just because

I will

believe.

This suggestion assumed more

time.

plausibility

during our afternoon meeting, than at any other

meeting,

The beloved friends that attend this who have heard me so frequently
late

speak of
blessing,

of

my

earnest desires for this

to

were waiting
to

rejoice in

my

joy,

but so entirely by faith on the naked promises

was

I called

rely,

that,

were

it

not that I

144

"the way of
fearful

holiness,

was

that

Satan might have a victory,

did 1 not speak, I should

have said nothing.

was endeavoring to give in my testimony, the suggestion was urged, that I believed merely because I would beI

Every moment while

lieve.

now

praise the

Lord

that

he enabled

me
do,

to

bear up amid this tempest, and give

just as I resolved in defiance of Satan I

i.

e. a

simple narration of the

into the

would manner in

which God brought me

this blessing.

enjoyment of

When he found he could not drive me. from my purpose of making confession, he continously urged upon me, while speaking, that the
cold matter-of-fact

manner
if

in

which
all

made

my

statements,

as

destitute of

feeling,

would prevent the reception of

my

testimony.

How
cost
I

well that I

had previously counted the

resolved
went
to

to believe

God

at all hazards.

the evening meeting.

Our dear

brolher
a word.

S
I

preached, but

scarcely heard
in

had resolved
rather than
it

to

die

the struggle

to believe

to
if
I

give

up
after

my

confi-

dence, and

seemed
climax.

as

the matter had

felt,

now

come

to

the

wrestling

NOTES BY THE WAY.

145

some

time, that the

Lord permitted

me

to

come

near the throne, and in

heart, even

much

simplicity of

as a httle child to a tender parent,

make known my
1 said,

grievances.
!

Lord

thou knowest that

w^ould

not believe merely

because

will believe,

without having a proper foundation for

faith.

my
con-

And

novv, in condescension to

my

stitutional infirmities,

my
of

proneness to reason,

give

me

this blessing in

some such
soul

tangible

form, that the

enemy

my

may

never be

successful with the temptation, that I believe

merely because
that
I

I will believe.

Thou knowest now

let

would not believe, without a proper

foundation for

my

faith

and

me

have

some such tangible form, that 1 may know the precise ground upon which I obtained^ and also upon which I may retain it. The answer came. New light burst upon my soul. The Holy Spirit took of the things of God, and revealed them unto me. It w'as by
this blessing in

the unfolding of this passage to

my understandliv-

ing

"

beseech, you, brethren, by the merthat

cies of

God,

ye present your bodies a

146

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS,
is

ing sacrifice, bol3% acceptable, which

reasonable service."
I

your

now saw
all

that I

had obtained
I

this blessing,
it,

by laying by still keeping

sacrifice."

upon

the altar.

had retained

all

upon the altar, " a living

as
it

So long

remained there,

per-

ceived that both the faithfulness and the justice

of

God

stood pledged
this
altar,

iov'iXs
it

acceptance. While

kept upon
all

must be cleansed from

of Jesus
loill, at

unrighteousness, for the blood

;

cleanstth

not that

it

can or

some fu-

ture period, but cleansetJi now, just while the

offering

is .presented.

for iho future

saw that I could no more believe moment, than I could breathe for the future, and perceived that I must be contented to live by the moment, and rely upon
this I

By

God

to sustain

me

in spiritual existence, just;as

confidently as for sustainment in natural existence.*

the altar, I

So long saw
saw

as the offering
it

was kept upon

to be not only a privilege

but a duty to believe.

I also

that just so soon as I should be-

gin

to

lean to

my own

understanding, feeling

that I cannot

do

this or the other duty, just in

NOTES BY THE WAY.

the degree in
offering
I
*'

147
in,

which

this

is

indulged

the

would be taken from

off the altar,

and
not

would have no right

to believe the offering

it is

holy and acceptable," inasmuch as

such an offering as

God

has declared accepta-

ble by the voice of the written word.

The

infinitely efficacious blood

was repre-

sented as ever flowing.

soul, laid

And

it is

thus that the

upon the
soul,

altar, is

cleansed and kept

clean.

O my

mayest thou ever remain upon

the altar of sacrifice, and

Thou,

my

strength

and righteousness, forbid that any unhallowed

Etct

should ever cause

its

removal.

It is

ihy power alone,

God,

that I

am
fill

kept.

shall I ever feel the cleansing eflScacy.

by Here Here

shall
till it

my

soul

fill

and expand

and expand,
faith shall

shall burst its tenement,

and

be

lost in sight.

August

6.

My peace has not been so great

I

yesterday and to-day.

see wherein

think I

might have walked more carefully before God. I have lamented my short comings, and still
feel that

my

all is

upon the

altar.

have re-

solved, through grace, to live in the most en-

148
lire

devotion to God.

My

inmost soul cries

out,
*' None but Christ to me be given, None but Christ in earth or heaven."

the grove,

To-morrow, Providence permitting, I go to Hempstead Harbor, L. I. I have faith to believe that Jesus vi^ill go with me. My prayer is, " Unless thy presence go with me,

send
soul,

me

not up."

and make
14.

August

Lord, strengthen my own me useful to others. The Lord my strength and

righteousness, most gloriously answered the

petition presented in that last written,

even be-

yond

my
"

most enlarged expectations.

He
alone the

work hath wrought."

forever.

Glory
going

be.to

His name
the

O how eminentsalvation, while

ly near

was

God

of

my

to the grove,

and through the whole proI feel

cess of the meeting.

constrained to re-

cord to the glory of his grace, that he gave

a mouth to speak to others
;

me

to

warn, entreat,

and
all.

testify of his

grace for the acceptance of

He

also

gave

me

favor in the eyes of the

people, and most truly did I experience that

NOTES BY THE WAY.

perfect love castelh out fear.
I

M9
seemed
to

be

borne quite above

being so
full}'

2i:iy

natural timidity,

my care

cast

upon Christ, the rock of

that

my
I

salvation.

received

a hcarl-felt assurance

the

unction of the
said to the

Holy One accompanied what I hearts of others, and at times I was

to

almost ready
"

stand

still

with amazement, and

love to me,"

Wonder why such

Why
it

the infinite
to

God
;

should so gloriously con-

descend

use an instrument so feeble.

of grace

Well,

was

all

and
not)

sqfarcely intending

it

(for I

have thus without have surely been

led in a
I ever
for the

way

knew

assumed a character
that of being zealous
!

wish

to

sustain

Lord of Hosts. may my motto ever be " onward and upvv^ard," and God forbid that
I

should ever be less ardent in

in the blessing I

my

course.

My establishment
ed, has

have receivhave

been more deep and thorough with the

successive
day.
I to offer

experience of each

power continually
rifice,

myself a living sacunrighteous-

without any reserve, and feel that the

all

blood of Jesus cleanseth from

ness.

13

150

"the way of

holiness."

In reference to
lie

my

future course, I wish to

passive in the hands of the Lord, as an inall

strument to perform his pleasure in

things.

My
not

will

is

lost in the w^ill

of

God.

would
I

dare

not choose for myself, thougli the

clioicc

were given.
faith,

walk by

and

God is my am enabled

All in AH.
to

endure as

seeing the Invisible, and

sists in a

my
it is

enjoyment con-

calm, quiet resting on the promises

of the gospel, assured that

my Father's good

pleasure to give

me

the kingdom. I feel at rest

if I, as a coworker with him, make use of the means ordained for my advancement thitherward, the

in the blessed persuasion, that

point will be gained. I

know thatthe Holy Spirit

!

has been given, the Co7nforter has come

has taken up his abiding residence
inciting
in

and

my heartword and

me

ceaselessly to every good

work, and giving

me

a longing desire for the

spiritual benefit of those

around

me enabling

upon God with a confidence heretofore unknown, or unfelt, being assured

also to call
that
it

me

is

the principle of holy

petitions

life

within me,

inditing

my

and enabling

me

to exer-

cise

faith for the

fulfilment' of the

promises.

NOTES BY THE WAY,

151

Glory be
tion
!

to the

Triune God,
holy

for

such a salvalay

I feel a

anribition to

up much

treasure in heaven

to get

near the ihrone.

ing, I

One morning during the process of this meetwas blest in a very peculiar manner. awoke about four o'clock with an intense
I felt

breathing after God.

assured by the

seemed to grasp a signal blessing that the Lord was about to seal me more fully His. My prayer was. Lord seal me unto the day of redemption. There seemed
in

manner

which

my

soul

to

be a distinctiveness

in the

hallowed exercises

of this season, that proclaimed the breatjiings of

my heart to be the work

of the spirit, to a degree

beyond any former occasion. For near two hours I remained under these peculiar influences, breathing forth in unutterable longings
*'
;

Lord

seal
I

tion."

me, seal me unto the day of redempwas enabled to ask with such a degree
I

of faith as to realize that I had the thing

sired of

de-

God. Though days have passed since,

in stability.

the assurance of the blessing then received, has

been increasing

So sacred seemed

the communion, so holy the covenant entered

into betwixt the Everlasting

God and

the Spirit

152

"the way

of holiness."

that came forth from him, of its assimilatinsr more and more like unto his own glorious image hei-Cy and being eventually reunited to him for-

ever, that I have not had

cloubt.
{Spirit's

one

temptation

to

The work was

operation on

so entirely of the

Holy
sa-

my

heart, and such a

cred conviction of this possescd

my mind, while
silent

passing through the exercises of that memorable

morning, that even the tempter has been

in this matter.
"

Well may
hope
is full,

I sing,

My

glorious hope

Of immortality."

Thiswas on Thursday, August the lOiIi. it was a period to be remembered in the annals of eternity. Much of the day was spent
Surely
in. laboring
for

and with souls

to

persuading
God
en-

professors to the duty of deciding for

tirely,

and encouraging them

enter by faith

into the

enjoyment of
also

their already

purchased

inheritance.
I

was

much engaged with some seeking

God.

to

know

a pardoning

An

interview with
will

one of

this description,

a Mr.

long

be remembered with peculiar pleasure.

Such

a genuine inquirer after truth, where such a ve-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

158
I

liement desire to

know

Christ

was manifested,
simple

have

seldonn
to

witnessed.

The Lord

conde-

scended

cause him
faith,

to see the
I

way

of

coming by

while

was conversing with

him, and he soon began to repose in Christ as

a.

present Saviour.

In endeavoring afterward

to unfold to

vation,

him the glory and extent of this salhe seemed to receive it with such ardour
I

of feeling, and exhibited such maturity of views

in the

grasping of his desires, that

was conit,

strained to offer, even for his^acceptance, a full

salvation, the extent to

which he received
fruits

remains
forth
;

to

be determined by the

brought

but thus far

(and I have minutely

marked

his progress,) his Christian course has

been signalized with an unusual degree of maturity and decision.

While we were dining

this day,

the table

being crowded wath the bounties of heaven, I took advantage of the circumstance to expaciate on the fulness

and freeness of the proviall

sion

made by
its

the gospel for

mankind

spoke of the ingratitude of

partake of

man

in refusing to

proffered benefits,
invited.

when by

so

many inducements

154

"the way of holiness."

that our beloved pastor

Remembering
said,

had
to
its

few days

since,

that

it

was well

study

human

nature, and lake advantage of

I

diversified peculiarities;

cast

my

eye on a

stranger on the opposite side of the table

who

looked as

if

whole-hearted

in

whatever he

might undertake, and though an

I felt as if I could read in his

entire stranger,

countenance, that
rebellion against
J

he was whole-hearted

in

his

God.
Vt/hen

" Is

it

not ungenerous,^''

asked, " that

such bounteous provision has been made,

things are

and the Great Master of the feast hath said,

'

Come,

for

all

ready,' that

any
not

should refuse?"

" O," said he,

"I do

think of these things as you do," and professed

himself a Universalist.
that 1 had touched

But I at once saw upon the right cord in ap-

pealing to his ingratitude.

versation ensued,
in
I

An
1

interesting confelt

which

the

Lord

touched his heart.

afterward took him upon

my

mind as a special subject of prayer. It was some time before he yielded to conviction, but on trying to extort a promise that he would pray for himself, in which I seemed to be unsuccessful, I said, '* well, if you will not pray

NOTES BY THE WAY.

for yourself,

155

remember

there will be one pray-

ing for you between five and six every morning.

ity

God

will hear

and answer prayer

irresistibly

I know he will
;

and though he will not

compel you

to 7/ield to the influences of his Spirit,

irresistibly

and

if

compel you to /ee/ those influences you resist them you W'ill have to anfor the
in a

swer to God now moved

consequences."
I

He was

manner

had not before wit-

nessed, and though he did not promise to pray

for himself, yet I

perceived by his embarrassed

at w'ork

manner, that the Spirit was powerfully

on his heart, giving him to see that he

was

hedged about, and placed

circumstances.
boat, returning

in awfully responsible

This was on board the steamI

home. On the Sabbath succeeding

saw him, and

bespoke that the rebellion of his heart had, in a measure, been subdued. *' I have made up my mind," said he. But I afhis countenance

terward found that though his mind was

made

up mainly
termined

to

devote himself to the service of

in

God, there was one exception

to persist.

which he de**

"

tvill

never go for-

luard to the altar for 'praijer^^ said he,

God

156

"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

loell bless

can just as
there:'
I

vie

any where

else as

assured him, ''that he would never fm^

the

Lord

till

he v/as willing

to

make any

sac-

rifice,

and sought with

all his heart."

Fixed

in his determination,

he returned to his former

for a

state of rebellion,

and

few weeks, contin-

ued sinning against

until, at
last,

the

most awful convictions,

when

just about to yield to the

temptation to plunge into scenes of daring impiety, he concluded to

at the scenes f

take one

more glance

prayer to which he had of late

accustomed himself, ere he made the plunge,

when, one of the Lord's dear servants observing him at the door of the place of worship, put
his

arm around

his

neck and begged him

did yield
;

to

yield to Christ.

He

and scarcely

had he knelt

to declare

himself a humble seeker

of salvation, ere a mighty saving change pass-

ed over him, and

was soon afterward sent

in the

for

to rejoice with him,

ardour of his

first

love.

He
in the

afterward informed

me

that at the time

morning when I had said *^ remember one will be praying for you,'''' he had the most

NOTES BY THE WAY.

15

awful sense of his sinfulness, and ihc displeasure of God, and one morning, at this hour,
his

convictions rose to such

a height, that he
if

arose and hid himself under the bed, as

to

escape the presence of God.

He

is

now

ap-

parently as whole-hearted in the

service of

God
tan.

as he

was formerly
11.

in the

service of Sa-

September

Precious Jesus,
I

" "Where shall

thy praise begin 1"

Thoii hast not disappointed

my expectations.

More than my most sanguine hopes have been

realized.

Yes

blessed be God,

my

course

is

still

onward and upward.

the Triune

God

mv

My

con:imunion'is witli

faith in his

power and
and have

eternal veracity has been abundantly increased

I

enjoy the constant

visits of his love,

realized that these visitations

nay, these^abimy communion,

dings of his presence are indeed transforming.

Such has been

of late, that
it

the nearness of

seems but to look up through the

pleading

power of

the Spirit and see Jesus at the right

liand of the Father,

my

cause

his

158

"THE WAY OF

HOLINESS.
soul,
is,

inspiring l.ini^uagc to

my

"

Ask what

thou wilt and

then
it is

it

shall

be done unto thee," and

the request, in order to

but to

make

realize the iiruuediate answer.

to prayer, received of
late,

Some answers

have indeed been

extraordinary.
Rise
rise,

Yes
soul
!

I will sing,

my

and onward, onward

is

still,

All

well, all is well,

all

God

shall,

with

all,

with
Is

his fiilnoss

fill,

All

well, all is well

iStrongrr than death

hi.s

love to thee

And thou to all elernity, A monument of craee shall

All
is

bo.
is

well, all

well.

was

lately

asked

to

converse with an

irre-

ligious yoiuig lady,

when

a suitable occasion

jnight olTcr.

The

individual,

on iriaking the

rc(niest, slated that the associations of the lady

had been such, that much caution might be necessary in approaching her. I could not
conceive iruich of an idea of a genteel ncglecter
of God,

and fch rather disposed

to

indidge a

disposition not to

come
I

in contact

with her,

thinking that

should give uneasiness to interdeclare what

1

ested friends, should

bclieveil

NOTES nv TIIK WAY.

to 1)0 llio

15^
to

whole coimaol of God

inlcndcd to do, should

her soul, with

which
her.

I fall in

Under unexpected circumstances, she was introduced, and I at once began to deliver what I believed to be a message from Ood to
her soul.

The Lord condescended

a
;

to

make

it

at

once

word in season she became powerfully awakened, and ilu; sauio day, began to seek the Lord with all her heart, and the next morning was made a witness of ilis pardoning mercy. She has since become as decided and ardent in the service of (jlod as she formerly was in has become a witness the service of the world

of the perfect love of

fruit

(jrod,

and

is

bringing forth

unto holiness.

September 9

Last

evening,

ihc

woman
perfect

living with
love.

me, entered

into the rest of

for
it

She had been struggling

through the day wilh

the evening, she

much fervour. Early in came to iny room, and while

**
J

conversing with her, the ardour of her desires

so increased, that she began to cry,
not
let

will

Ihce go until thou

blcjss

me."

Jler an-

100

"the way of holiness."

guish was very great, so that her groans and

rries

mi^ht have been heard through

tlie

house.

The Lord whom

to

she sought, suddenly canne

She was,

His temple, and His entrance was glorious. for some time, quite overpowered

with the weight of glory that rested upon her.

!

what am
first

I,

or

my

father's

house before

me,
her

that I should be so favored of

God
have

From

coming

to live

with us,

felt that

the Lord sent her in answer to prayer.

Assured
inducing

that the

most minute circumstances,

not

care,

are

unknown
;

to

God,
I

and as he hath
estly asked that

said, for these

things will
I

be inquired of by the house of Israel he would take

earn-

my

cause in
her

hand.

It

gave

me much
the
I

plea'sure to hear

say, soon after she had been so powerfully

"I asked some place where

blessed,
privileges,
lias

Lord

to

direct

me

to

might enjoy Christian

this
I

and blessed be his name,

to

house

been a heaven
to

me

ever since

came.''

Glory be

God

After jetiring to rest, I had severe buffelings

from Satan.
1

The

conflict

was so great

that
it.

awoke

my

dear companion to speak of

NOTES BY THE WAV.

161

He was

so overcome v;ith sleep that he scarce-

ly aroused, but only said, "

My

grace

is suffi-

cient for thee."

pillow, and

inamediately rose from

my

renewedly and _yetmore confidentthough the enemy did not cease

ly threw

myself upon the all-sufficiency of

his darts, I trusted in
off,

grace
to

and

throw

my

Saviour

to

ward them
after

and soon

fell

asleep; and

awoke
filled

sweetly refreshing repose, with peace

all

reigning throughout
"vfith

my

borders, and

the joyous presence of

6.

God,
the enjoyment of

October
di

Still living in
;

present salvation

my

time has been so fully

occupied of

late, that I

have not taken time

to

record the various loving kindnesses of the

Lord

as frequently as formerly

have almost
a blessing to

regretted this, foi I ever prove

it

be thus engaged, and then

I find the

review so

inspiring for subsequent consideration.

I have been almost inclined to regard remiss-

ness in
in

this,

unless unavoidable, as remissnqss

is written upon my by the help of the Spirit,

duty.

But the record

I trust,

heart,

and

that the record of

tion,

my daily
14

walk and conversaand known

may

be a living

epistle, read

162 of
all

"the way of
men, during
life
;

holiness.*'

and

in the

world above

tell

forever

on the records of eternity, to the

praise and glory of God.

God
of the

has, of late, in great

in

mercy, made some

Bible class,
;

young persons

my

memnot

bers of the household of

failli

last

Sabbath the

excitement was so great, that

we were

able to attend to the ordinary duties of the

class
;

they are daily remembered by

me

be-

fore the Lord.

God

is

the hearer,

and

the an-

swerer of 'prayer, I have also been permitted

cious
fruit

to see

some gra-

of

my
to

labor on

my
in a

Tract District
measure, awa-

several

seem

have been,

kened, while urging upon them the importance

of religion
;

one, especially, a professed Deist,

possessed of talents of an order calculated to

tell

on the ranks of
I

Infidelity,

has promised,

and

believe sincerely, to investigate the truths

;

of Christianity

him was much increased, by what human foresight would

interest for

my

have pronounced an accidental circumstance.

Part of

my

regular parcel of tracts for this

I

month's distribution, had been mislaid, and

took a few of the " Mother's last prayer," to

NOTES BY THE WAY.

163

hand, in case the others should not hold out.

his knowledge of the subject of religion, was impressed with the behef that he might once have had pious associations I handed him the tract just mentioned, and said, "perhaps you have had a pious mother ;" he betrayed
I
;

From

emotion, and said, "yes."

now found

the

avenue

to his heart

much more

accessible than

before, and he

acknowledged that he had been

for the ministry in

educated

in

Europe,

the

Episcopal Church.

Other cases of much interest have come under

my

observation

this m.onth.
is

Surely the work

of God ; in no more emphatically as a laborer in the vineyard. How noiselessly, and yet how effectually may the good seed here be
of tract distribution

the

work

other duty do I feel

sown,

in

hearts

not'

otherwise

accessible.

Blessed be God, that I was ever permitted to

engage

in this

blessed cause.

Friday.

A
gave

person of deep piety called

an

in

to-day, and in the narration of

her early ex-

perience

unusual

exhibition of the

awful temerity of setting

God

a time.

She

is

now

about forty-three. At the age of fourteen.

164

"the way of holiness."

to attend

when away from home

converted her soul.
in the

school,

God

She continued very happy

enjoyment of rehgion, and often thought

on her return home,
of the

with what great delight she would inform her

friends,

happy

change.

One
sh'c

day,

when on

the eve of depart-

ure, as she
in

which

surprise

was thinking wishfully of the scenes was about to mingle, and of the with which the gay circle would reshe

ceive the intelligence of her conversion,

began

to hesitate

about the propriety of telling

**

them at once. The Spirit suggested, had better inform them immediately,

You
you

or

may

never do

it."

The tempter
vi^ould

presented, in

glowing exhibition, the disappointment of gay

young
lost to

friends,

who

regard her as forever

profess her
;

their society, should she

conversion.

The

Spirit of God strove mightily

but notwithstanding she had been favored with

much

of its

happifying influences,

so strong

were the world's delusive phantoms, that she deliberately made up her mind, after thinking of it some time, not to say any thing on the
subject of religion
;

and

in

doing

this the Spirit

assured her, that she would in effect give up

NOTES BY THE V/AYI'he

165

subject entirely.
let

cluded to

the matter

Awful to relate, she concome to this point, and

resolved to give up the enjoyment of religion

altogether, until she should arrive at the age of

twenty.

The
its

Spirit of

God from
the

that

moment
pursue

ceased

strivings,

and she was

left to

unchidden, the
gular disease.

follies of

world.

When

about eighteen she was arrested by a very sin-

Many

physicians were coninexplica-

sulted, but her case

ble.
It

was pronounced
slight

began with a

malconformation

of her person, which gradually increased to

such a degree, as
tually forbid all
to

at first to embitter,

and even-

enjoyment

in

the

gay scenes,

which she had been most ardently devoted. She now saw, and Satan seemed also to love to taunt her with the barter she had made,
and
for a

time she was

left to reflect

on her

folly in utter despair of the

mercy of God. She imagined that she had received the mark of Cain, and was unwilling to look up to either God or man. Her person continues to be inBut some year-s since, creasingly deformed. after years of despair, she was enabled to trust in the mercy of God, and is now a happy be-

1G6
lievcr

"the way of holiness."

;

yet

still

fully believes that

she carries

about

in

her person, the

mark

of the displea-

sure of the Almighty.

October.

Went

to

the

tract

distributers'

meetinir this evening.

Had
I

a veiy delightful

and profitable season.

in

was much drawn out

prayer that every sold might be blest.

The

Divine sanction seemed to be given, and a

heavenly influence

appeared

to

pervade the

minds of
in

all

present, while in sweetest unity,

those of dilYerent denominations together joined

humble

clVort

and aspimtions,
Surely

for the success

it

of this blessed cause.

has most pe-

culiarly the smiles of our

Lord.
still

November
to

20.

The Lord
in

comlesccnds
Bible Class.

water the seed sown

to

my

Three more profess

I

have found the Lord.

dare not doubt the genuineness of the change.

*'

The Saviour said, By their fruits ye shall know them," and they raanifest most obviously that the love of God is shed abroad in their
hearts,

by

their ardent love

and zeal
to

for the

salvation of others.
eral

There seems
the class.

be a genhas
in sucli

awakening

in

The Lord

laid the

burthen of their souls upon

me

NOTES BY THE WAY.

IB?

a manner, that nay soul

*'

is

continually sayinrr,

I will

not

let tliee

co," until ihou bless them.

!

what
1

a stewardship, to have souls in charge

felt

have deeply

of late the

responsibility

resting

upon Sabbath School Teachers.

to

How

many seem

be but

little

aware of the importheir culture.

tance of ihe duty thus imposed upon them, by

having souls entrusted

to

The

seed, whether of lax Christian principle, or of

ardent, enlightened piety,

seems

to take root so

readily and surely

when sown by
tlie

the

hand of
for-

the Sabbath school teacher.

T shall

never

get the ardent love, and

in religion

idea of perfection
I

and manners, with which

renjarded

rny Sabbath school teacher.

less the seed

probably not sown thus, more than seven or eight years old, that the Lord caused to spring up, when I first received
the assurance, that the Saviour took

And when

it

was doubt-

me

as one
of his

of the lambs of the fibck to the

love,

bosom

which was four or

27.
friends.
I

five

years afterward.

November
tian

Called to-day on some Chriswas greatly

fascinating

interested with
eternity.

one young friend just on the verge of

She

is

young and

but just merged

1*68

"the way of holiness."

into

tion before her.

life

womanhood, and life opening with exhilaraYet the opening prospects of

still

and immortality possess

greater charms,

as the

world recedes from her vision and the

decreases.
is,

expectation of recovery

She
*'

is

now
give

longing to go, and her cry

Lord,
I

me

patience to wait thy time."

have

thoudit that the Lord was takini^ her from the

evil to

come.

But a few months

since, in the

midst of an

excitement in religion, she was

taken into the fold of Christ.

renunciation

of gay society and conformity to the world,

count,

seemed not to have been included in the acwhen she espoused the cause of Christ.

Some
cost,

Christian friends,

who had counted

the

knew

well that a

life

of piety founded on

such principles, could not endure the storms

of temptation to

which she stood continually

exposed, by the associations surrounding her,

and tremblingly they watched her progress.

But the Heavenly Watcher, almighty

and
infinite in

in

power

love, is

now about

taking her

most gently from the impending storm.

From
this

a review of the/ciFCumstances in which

young lady was placed,

my mind

has been

NOTES BY THE WAY.

169

much impressed

with the weight of responsi-

biUty resting upon those parents, who, though

they have embraced religion with

its

self-de-

nying principles, as the belter

selves, yet as

way

for

them-

though the children with which

God

hath entrusted them, were in a manner

distinct

from themselves, bring them up and

place them in associations, calculated to fascinate them with the frivolities which they have

renounced, as inconsistent with a

life

of piety.
in effect

How

strange the infatuation

It is

bringing them

up

in a

way from which they

intend and pray that they should depart^ and

yet encourage the pursuit.

December
of temptation

5.

A ,new and
my

singular source
last evening,

was presented

and

God gave

signal victory.

The Lord

has of

late permitted the fruit of

labor to be appa-

rent to an unusual degree.

"You would

not

labor so assiduously," said the tempter,

it

"were
tho.se

not that the

around you."

fruits were evident to Seldom have I felt more

indig-

nant, and I began to anticipate, with a longing

to

which

had almost been a stranger, a speedy

dismission from the body, so that

my

free spirit^

170

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

un vexed by the accusations of Satan, might soar unhindered, on any errand of love to which God
might appoint.
Yes,
I

began

to

long for the

freedom of a disembodied spirit, where, unobserved by mortals, I might do the will of God
as angels

do

in

heaven.

At once
I

sphere of

labor

was

presented., where,

unobserved by any

other than the eye of God,

might work.
w-as a timid

The

minister

who was preaching

listening,

young

brother, and there, were elder brethren in the

ministry
heavily

upon

his

spirit.

you may help

that

which seemed to weigh It was suggested, young brother by asking in

faith, that the Spirit

may

help his infirmities,

and speak through him.

The Lord now gave

by inspiring

a perfect victory over Satan,

my

soul with mighty faiih in pleading for his servant.

And God did

indeed speak through him.

The
self,

brother seemed raised above his former

and though not previously a time of awa-

in our church, several souls were powawakened through the exercises of the meeting. Ten went forward to be prayed for. Never before had 1 such a view of the impoNot only did I tency of human instruments.

kening

erfully

NOTES EV THE WAY.

171

know, but
sion, that

felt

beyond the power of expres-

they were powerless, only as

to give

God
After
for

condescended
the

them

efficiency.

persons
it

had presented
this
;

themselves

prayer,

was suggested,

may
'tis

all

amount

to nothing after all this

ado

sudden ex-

citement, which will not be likely to eventuate

in

of

much. I then began to plead that every one them might be converted Before leaving the
and
at the close of the

altar,

meeting the an-

nouncement was made had been blest.

Dec.
13.

that every one of

them
soul

All the ardent desires of

my

are sweetly centred in God.

I feel that I

have
proI

not one desire apart from that which

may

mote His
holiness

glory.

He

is

my

All in All.

enof

joy a silent heaven of love.

The beauty

more and more

Spirit

captivates

my

enrap-

tured soul.

of Holiness, continue to

breathe

upon

me

thy purifying, soul-transI

forming influences.

have ever found, after

every season of intense wrestling for more conformity to the divine image, that
bly been given, though
I
it

has invariathe time

may

not at

have realized

it.

We

cannot draw nigh to

172

"the way of

holiness."

God
us,
tried,

without p7'oving that

at the

He

draws nigh

to

though

moment

and

we

not fully

may be apprehend it. Comour faith

trans-

munion with God must necessarily be

forming.
14.

At our

class meeting last night,

God

was eminently
be sensibly

present.

The

place seemed to

filled

with the Divine presence.

was present, and gave in a glowing testimony. About three months .since she was translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God's dear Son, through the inMrs.
strumentality of a devoted female friend.

Pre-

vious to this her associations were with the

gayest of the gay.

parties

Theatres, ball rooms, and

life

were the
her
first

of her

existence.

But

oh

what

a transformation grace hath

made.

From

world, and
vice of

selling out, she gave up the became whole-hearted in the serGod. It was only the next day after

her conversion, that the Spirit assured her that she must leave the things that were behind, and

urge her
liness.

way onward

to the

attainment of ho-

Two
It

blessing.

weeks since she obtained the was not hard to get at the mean-

NOTES BY THE WAT.

173

ing of being sanctified throughout, body, soul,

and spirit, while beholding her enraptured countenance last night.

Her very

looks carried a
viras filled

conviction to the heart, that she

with

the sanctifying influences of the Spirit.

Since

her conversion, her husband, n[iother,and servant

with two or three other members of the family,

have

all

sought and found the Lord.

How
Mrs.

striking the difference in the progress of

and the majority of those

the heavenly way, too
not to
lation

who

set out in

many
cost,

of

whom seem

have counted the

on the sacrifice of
of such

and made calcuto

all things for Christ.

And how many

seem

be rather a

hindrance to their unconverted friends by holding out a false light, rather than bringing them

by persuasive example and mighty prayer to that Saviour, who hath said^ " Except a man take up his cross and follow after me, he cannot be

my
to

disciple."
I

Jan. 4.

have been praying of

fully the

late

for

power

apprehend more

hope of

my

calling.

have longed for clearer perceptions

of the glory of

my

inheritance.
15

The

desire of

my

heart has been granted.

Heaven seems

174

" THE

WAY

OP HOLINESS."

not only as near, but as in part enjoyed.

eternal
fills

Yes,

life is

begun.

The
makes
is, is

presence of

God

my

soul,

and

" His presence

my

paradise,

And where he
I

lieaven."

have sometimes thought that the enjoyglorified spirits in heaven,

full

ment of

and those

enjoying the

salvation of the

redeemed on

earth, diflfers mainly in degree, not in nature.

An aged

brother,

who seems

to

be on the bor-

ders of the promised land, gave an interesting

relation last night, of one lately
earth.

escaped from

standing by her bedside at the " Do you hear the aneve of her departure.
gels

He was

sing ?"

said

she.
I

The
do not.

individual

ad-

dressed said, " No,

^'Yes," she replied, "I do." cannot you join with them ?"
friend.

Do you ?" "And why

inquired
in

the

She then began, and

tones and

words of unearthly sweetness, joined, as was

fully

believed by the

surrounding company,

with the heavenly choristers.

"I never heard

''

the like before," said the aged saint,

and

never again expect to hear the

heaven."

like this side of

The

physician,

an

unconverted

NOTES BY THE WAY.

175

man, standing by, was filled with astonishment, and said, " 1 would not have missed that for a
hundred dollars."
Jan. 31.

My faith
It

has been both tried and

strengthened by a circumstance of recent occurrence.

being necessary for

me

to

change

a servant, I confidently sought direction from

God

in

diately found that she

making the exchange. I almost immewas in no ordinary degree

I

a servant of the wicked one.

never rememthat

ber to have had one about

me

seemed
I

more

truly

under demoniacal influence.

thought her unhappiness seemed

in part to arise

from the

fact that she could not,

by her various
part-ed with

provocations, disturb the heavenly quietness

of those around her.

would have

her immediately, but thought I would keep her

one week, solely for the purpose of seeing whether Almighty grace m.ight not in some

way subdue
came,

her heart.

The

last

day of
have

trial

and matters seemed

to

grown

worse instead of better. As I knelt before the Lord in order to present her case, and also to implore divine direction in filling up her place, the enemy suggested. Did you not believe

176

"the way of

holiness."

yourself to have been directed in getting the

one you are

hold,
it

now about

to part

with

and beand that

has been evil and only

Is this not

evil,

continually.

enough

to

make you
these
little

question whether

God

regards

all

matters
sible,

The

suggestion indeed seemed plau-

but

not remove

my heart said, ^'Though I die, I will my integrity from me." And I con:

cluded the matter thus

perhaps after she has

been weeks or months from us, she may remember that there was something in religion to

make

people happy, and sustain under provo;

cations

something that she has heard

may

be

as seed sown, that sion

ting

may
As
to

result in her converI

months hence.

rose from commitI

my

cause believingly to God,

was

called

into the other

room

converse with a penitent,

greatly distressed.

He

remained two or three

hours,

his

creasing.

agony apparently continually inIn the mean time the woman came
I I

repeatedly to the door to call us to dine, and

as often

beckoned her away, as

had no inten-

tion of leaving
fort.

him

until

he had received com-

shade of uneasiness crossed

my

mind

as she looked in on his distress, thinking that she

NOTES BY THE WAY.

miglit form strange ideas

177

of religion, on wit-

nessing sitch violent emotions of sorrow, but I

cast

my

care upon God, assured of His ability

to take care

of His
to the

own work, and continued

Saviour, and wrestled in

to point

him

prayer with him until deliverance came.

transition
ing.

The

was

glorious and almost

overwhelm-

In the

others had of God, as

mean time, my dear husband with come in, and the now happy child
if

he was almost beside himself

exfor-

with joy, went hastily around the room, grasping the hand of each, with flowing
claiming,
'*

tears,

Oh, bless the Lord!

sins.

He

kas

given all
the Lord

my
!"

Oh, bless the Lord

door to repeat the

to

bless

At

this crisis the

woman

again
for
it

came
his

to the parlor

call

dinner.

Seeing the door open, he ran

in

bewilderment of joy, and grasping her hand

exclaimed,
forgiven

"Oh,

praise
sins.

the

Lordi

He

has
!"

me all my

Oh, praise the Lord

still

he continued to exclaim,

holding her hand,

while tears of joy coursed down his cheek

most

rapidly.

No

responsive feeling answerto pro-

ing to his joy,

seemed only calculated

long his appeal, and he continued to retain her.

178

hand,

still

exclaiming, " Oh, praise the Lord

after

!"

few minutes

we went to

dine,

and

to

the rejoicing of our hearts, witnessed that

God

had
us

at last

touched her stony heart.

bitterl}'',

She had
Af-

been weeping
to

and hastened on seeing

another room, to hide her emotion.

terward, on conversing with her, I found that

On tryshe was most powerfully awakened. ing to encourage her to seek the Lord, " Oh,"
said she,
safely.
I I

"

shall

never reach

that

ark of

had a dream some time since, when

said to

saw an ark floating down a river, and it was me, You will never reach that ark of She continued in great distress unsafety-' " It was necestil time for evening meeting.
*

sary for

me

to

remain

at

home

if

she went,

and

advised her to improve the first

moment

of opportunity that

was given

for
I

seekers to
afterward

present themselves for prayer.

learned from one that
as the invitation

saw

her, that just so

soon

was

given, she literally rushed

forward, as

if

driven to desperation by a con-

sciousness that her case would admit of

lay.
.

node-

When

there,

with an

impetuosity of

feeling that could oaly be warranted

from the

NOTES BY THE WAY.

179

view she afterward

ing

told

me

she had of the imto

pending wrath of God, that seemed

be rest-

down upon her

sou], in
if life

such fearful magnicould not have been

it

tude, that she felt as

sustained any longer, unless

had been redid

Barti-

moved, she

cried,

"

God have mercy upon

to cry, as

me
on

;"

and she continued

meus, with a loud voice, " God have mercy

me

a sinner," and like him, strange to relate,

she was chidden by some of the Lord's well-

meaning
exercises

children.
spirit.

But they knew not the

anguish of her
I

Toward

the close of the

was released from home, and weiit The cry, "Lord, have merto the meeting. cy," met my ear as I entered, but though I knew that all things were possible with God,
I

could scarcely conceive that the

pride

of

y had been so suddenly put down as to But on ascertaining bring her to that point.
that
it

was indeed

her, 1 hastened to the altar.

I

On

being apprised that

was coming, she

exclaimed,

turned toward me, and with one of the most

imploring looks
*'

ever witnessed,
,

Oh,

my

dear Mrs.

do you think

God
to

can have mercy upon

me

?"

She seemed

be

180
in a

"

THE WAY OF HOLINESS.

measure soothed while, with sympathetic

I

feehngs,
of God.

endeavored

to point her to the

Lamb
altar,

She continued to chng to the

retired,

though the people had mostly

until

God spoke peace

after conversion

to

her soul.

But her case

from

was

strikingly dissimilar

the one in the morning, or unlike any that I

have before witnessed.

After

slie

was

forgiven,

she seemed to be so overwhelmed with the

stupendous mercy of God, that

do not

re-

member

that she uttered a syllable

as expres-

sive of joy.

We

knew

that Jesus in a
still,

bade the troubled waves be

stillness that

succeeded.

mom<5nt by the sudden There was a great

willingly,

calm, but the solemnity

of death sat on her

countenance,

and she

now
left

and

think, silently arose

and

the

altar.

The

next day she informed

me

that on

retiring to

rest that night, she tried to pray, but

scarcely

knew how.

It

was

been a stranger.
*'I

which she had In the morning she arose

a duty
to

about four o'clock, and "

Oh

1"

she exclaimed,

could pray then." About ten, on the morning of the same day, while arranging

matters

in

the

room where

was

sitting, the

NOTES EV THE WAY.

181

person
her to

who had been

tlie
'*

instrumental in bringing
in,

house came

and she went down

to see her.

Did

3^011 tell

Emma

what God

has done for your soul

*'

?" I
*'

enquired.

yes," she replied,

the world."
,"

to tell all

I feel as if I wanted "I am glad you do

feel so,

said

I,

*'

for I should

be in-

clined to think, that any one not desirous to

spread such good news had deceived themIt was probably the first time that sha had ever heard it possible for persons to de-

selves.

ceive themselves in matters of religion, and

Satan took the advantage of her ignorance

in

moment. She dropped the work in vtdiich she was engaged, and, as if astounded, exclaimed,
I deceived "No, " you are not deceived it
;

"Am

C
is

,"

said

I,

the

enemy

of

your soul

tells

you so

you are no more de-

am." The contest lasted for a few moments, and it really seemed as if she would have given up her confidence, and all be
ceived than
I
lost,

when

all at

once, just as suddenly as the

tempter had come, he was driven away,

strange to
relate,
feet,

when
her

she threw herself on

knees

at

my

and began

to

exclami in a

182

"the way

of holiness."

transport of joy, "

No, I
Mrs.

om

not deceived
,

am

not deceived!

your prayers
as ecstatic

have saved me." Her joy was

now

and commmiicative, as w^as that of the individual who the day before had been instrumental
in her
I

awakening.

have learned lessons through these circum-

stances which I trust ever to remember.

is,

One

never to give way

to

discouragement, how-

ever dark and contradictory intervening provi-

dences

may

appear.

Another

that the Lord

His
I

has his own way of doing his own work.

thoughts are not as our thoughts.
the extreme distress of Mr.

thought

prejudicial to

the interest of religion in the

mind of

the wick-

ed

From
it is

her distress, I also

in

became

convinced that
that the

mercy

to the guilty soul

full
it

Almighty withholds a
sin, as
its

view of the

exceeding sinfulness of
less paralyze

would doubtenergies, and it would sink,

into the horrors of

overwhelmed with the view,

an awful eternity.
I think
it

And

yet another lesson, and

I

indeed important.

might have been

a partaker in the over-solicitude of those dear

friends,

who

" charged her to hold her peace,"

NOTES BY TKE WAY.

183

had

I not

been personally acquainted with the

circumstances of the case, and known with

what perfect aversion she would have regarded

the circun:istance of making such a spectacle of
herself,

had

it

not been for those overwhelming

perceptions of guilt, which doubtless swallow-

ed up every thought of outward things.

We

had thought ourselves on the eve of

revival, but since

a glorious

that night
ptit

check, sudden
to the

and mysterious, has been

work.

The change was

said,

so sudc^en,

.'hat

some have

" Sister, what dc you think can be the

cause ?"
to

My

mind

^'las

i.ivariably attributed it

one cause, and

thati's, that

the ark of

God

was
it

over-solici-^ously steadied,

when

that indi-

vidual

was Kfged
sa^^l,

to

hold her peace, and

a pity that the

when
was

was

"

What

meeting
it

should ^ave been so disturbed,

onlj
's

when

servant."

commencement of this protracted meeting, I was very desirous that a day of

At
the
fasting and prayer should be observed

by our
it

people for

its

success.

hardly

know why

was, but the suggestion did not receive

official

-sanction to the degree anticipated. I concluded

184
to

"the way of holiness."

observe the day previous to the

commencedegree that
I

irienl of the

meeting thus,

to the

my

infirm health

would allow, and

have not

only been

much

blessed and strengthened in

my own
lo bless

soul, but the

Lord has condescended

to

my

endeavors

be useful to others,

beyond what has been ordinary with nie on

similar occasions.

Several seekers have found our house.

evening, at
the

the

Lord while
14.

at

March

Oh Monday

Sabbath School prayer-meeting, an opportunity offered for speaking, which on ordinary occasions I had been accustomed to improve. Seldom have I been rec^uired to walk more exclusively by naked faith, con'u-nding against

ihe buffetings of the enemy.

A uhort
^:ill

silence

ensued, and no one seemed ready to

lime.

up the

A new

trial

presented.

1 did nu.

to have one

word

to

say

barrenness
"Now
;

seem

in refer-

ence

to a subject,

and

conflicts with the

enemj,
the time

would have prevented

it

my

saying anything, had

is

not been said to

my

soul,

to test the faithfulness of

'

God

He

hath said,

Open thy mouth wide, and I will fdl it.' If you do not speak now that the circumstances

NOTES BY THE WAV.

l85

require
ihar.

it,

it
;'

will

be said,
if

'

others

and now,

what do ve more you would prove

it.

His
firsts

faithfulness,

you must open your mouth

and then trust

God
I

to Jill

strength of the promise

arose.

Upon God did

the
fill

my

mouth
filled

in

such a manner as
on a
soul

it

had never

been

before,

similar occasion.

Blessed liberty

of

was

at

once given,

every snare broken, and

a joy unspeakable and
the exercise demanding
over, the
trial

my

soul rejoiced with

full

of glory.

Soon as
passed

the effort

liad

was again resumed, and continued until it seemed necessary, from the circumstances in which I was placed, that
of
failh
I

my

should join

in

prayer.

commenced with
which
I

feelings similar to those under

had

spoken, and

God

again gave blessed liberty.

Yesterday, at our afternoon meeting,

cises,

my

exer-

and the

trial

of

my

failh,

were

identical

with those of the evening previous, and the

grace to help in time
of 7ieed

iohen required, and withdrawn

quired, precisely as
it

was bestowed when not reon

had been

Monday
I

evening.

Well,

let it

be even so.
life

have

counted the cost of living a

16

of faith on the

186

"the way of holiness,"

of God, and now, that I

Son

am

brought tolhe

test, shall I

repine

March

29th.

The

Lord has brought

my

soul into a place of broad rivers.

Rivers, as

they verge toward the mighty ocean, become

broader and deeper.

Thus

find

in

my

on-

ward

course, the nearer I approach the ocean

of infinite purity, love, and unbounded blessedness, the

more

my

soul partakes of the nature

of those enjoyments,

and becomes yet more

to

closely and consciously allied

the glorious

source, to which

it is

tending.

My
soul

faith

has been strengthened, and

blessed, in reading an

my

much

account of

the christian experience and happy death of a

little

sufferer,

who

has lately finished her

pil-

grimage

at the

age of nine.

She was an ex-

traordinary sufferer, with a spinal affection, for

about two years before her death.

Her

friends

cannot remember
of her illness.

to

have heard one murmura uniform exhibition

ing or repining word during the whole process

She gave

of the blessed overflowings of a heart, where

" Christ alone did dwell,
All praise,
all

meekness, and

all

love."

NOTES BY THE WAY.

187

She was

subject to the most violent

paroxysms
not

of pain, yet
like to get

when

asked, "

Would you
''

well ?" would reply,

No

not think
not."

it is

the will of God, therefore I

do would
I

Her experience brought

out to an unu-

degree the meaning of the Saviour's words, " Except ye become as little children,"
sual

&c. up

It is said that

she regarded the Bible

as
it

literally the

word of God, and treasured

with
all
it

in her heart,

that childlike simplici-

ty and sweetness that

might have been sup-

posed she would have done,

had the Saviour

spoken audibly

to her.

tled,

April 6th. Have been reading a book enti" The Importance of Small Things."

The

author (a good man, I

am
I

sure,) differs

greatly in opinion from the generality of professors of the present day.

that truth
lies

should suppose
It
is

between the two.

around us,

my

opinion that the Lord generally calls us to be

lights to

by a consistent which He has singled us out. Those of " Cesar's household" were possessed of facilities, from
those
christian example, in just the circle from

natural causes, to

be useful

to

those

of the

183

"the way

of holiness,"

king's palace, above those

who were unaccusand

it

tomed

to scenes of loyally,
;

its

variousun-

enviable associations

but yet

should not be

forgotten that there were saints even there.

And thus with those God makes use of

ple,
liere
it
;

of every

grade

in

life.

our

moral

and physical

training in fitting us for the place in

which

He

His temdesigns we should fill. Placed

by His own hand, we adorn and beautify

elsewhere,

we deform

it

by evident unall

seemliness.
to all

Paul speaks of being

in

things

men,

order by any

means

to

win some.
of this

And

Christ also says, "

The

children

world are wiser

children of

in their generation

than the
in al-

lifrht."

This was doubtless

interests.

lusion to their various nameless expedients to

advance their worldly

tive of this,

As

illustra-

one brother remarked, some time

since, that if he

was among

the Indians, and

could do more good by wearing a blanket, he

would wear one.

tised

This recognizes,

in

my

opinion, the principle upon whicli

;

Paul prac-

a principle

planted in

my

soul, the

which the Lord deeply imhour when He gave me

I

the witness of perfect love.

have

felt

since

NOTES BY THE WAY.

that I

18

have no interest apart from the interests

of the Redeemer's kingdom.

assured

my

soul that the

in

The Lord has kingdom of Heaven

in
in

does not consist

righteousness,

meats and drinks, but

and joy
the
to

peace,
!

Holy
to

Ghost. Yet, oh

how

have mourned

witness
the

some, who, from a love of conformity

world, feed the vanity of the unsanctified heart,

prove a stumbling block in the way of others, and make shipwreck of faith and a good conscience.

Some, doubtless,

will find in the eter-

nal world, that the priceless soul has been lost,

by the valueless trifles of mere outward adornment. Not that there was sin in the articles
themselves, but in the pride that they tended
to cherish.

Yet these are nice points

conform

to deter-

mine.

have knowm some inclined

to unchris-

tianize those that did not

to a standard,

which had perhaps been begotten from early parental prejiidices and associations. I have seen others also that seemed influenced by the
principle, thai habits unlovely, and

manners un-

couth, were necessary to mortify the pride of

the heart, and the exhibition of these unlovely
traits

needful,

in

order to

show

that

the

190

*'the

way

of holiness."

heart
the

was humble, not aware that ihey were in mean time sinning against the express " Be courteous," Scriptural requirements,
*'

Whatsoever things are lovely," &;c. It seems very reasonable to me that the christian

whom

Christ hath chosen out of the world,

spirit,

should manifest in

manner, and dress,

a detachment from the thinirs of earth. o April 17. I have found blessed satisfaction

of late, in bringing the promises and the

Pro-

miser together.
mitted to take

What
!

a privilege to be per-

God on the strong ground of his own infallible word Called to-day toseeH the woman who was so greatly blessed, while

living with us,

some time

since.
is

She has been

whether

sick several weeks, and

apparently just on

the vevcTQ of heaven.

On

askinsj her

she would not rather depart and be with Christ, she replied, " If raising my finger would decide the point, I would not dare

do

it.",

Her

health

became so infirm that it was necessary she should embrace an opportunity that oirered, where she would have but little to attend to. On going, she found that the family in which
she had engaged did not have family prayer,

NOTES BY THE WAY.

the

191

husband

being irreligious.

exfelt

pressed her disappointment, and said she

as
if

she could not stay in a fanaily where she

should be

deprived of this privilege.

She
a

then n:iodestly said to the lady,

christian

who was
will

woman,

'*

If

Mrs.

pray and

read one morning, I will the next."

consented to the proposal.

The lady The husband soon

weight of his soul
to
in-

began
ligion,

to manifest interest

on the subject of re-

and the Lord

's

laid the

on

mind

in

such a manner, that

use her

own

language, she reeled as one

toxicated under the weight of her feelings.

This intense excitement was more especially during one Sabbath. As she was going to
church, she was so absorbed in travail of soul
for him, that she

was forgetful of all around where she was, and being unable to proceed to church, she sat down by the way, and continued, she was not aware how That night, he long, in agony of soul for him. w^ent to the inquiry room, became deeply awakened, and soon afterward became a happy
her, or

believer in Christ

and

in

heaven

will doubtless

remember

the

humble

individual,

who was

in-

strumental in

i- earing the family altar.

192

"the way of holiness."

Oh, what a heavenly sweetness

July 2d.

has just been diffused throughout

my
:

soul.

took up a book and read these lines

'

dwell forever on His heart,

Forever

He

on mine."
I

Yes, Jesus loves nne,

know

it

I feel

it:

want beside ? Oh, may I ever be consciously and constantly filled with the
can
I

What

Spirit.

July 9th.

The

weather of

late

has been
I^ast

very oppressive, and

the flesh weak.

my

health infirm.
spirit

night, on retiring, I felt the

wilh'ng, but

During the hours of

sleep,

Satan seemed to be chidincr me with a want of o energy, when the word of the Lord was applied
with such power and sweetness to my mind, " He that keepeth Israel, it awoke me.
neither slumbereth noi

that

sleepeth."

rejoiced

and gave thanks

to the

God

of

my

salvation.

David says,
judgments."
it

*'

At midnight
119: 62.

I will arise

and

give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous

Psalm

have found

very profitable to follow his example.

I

Oh

with what nearness of access have

been per-

mitted to approach the throne at this hallowed

NOTES BY THE WAY. hour.

193

At times

it

seems

as

if faith

had almost

turned to sight.

Aug.

Have met with

way

some

friends on

llie

heavenly
meeting.

of Lite, that

I liave

been

interested with, especially at our recent

much camp
pastor

One, the Rev. Mr.

M
shall

of a Congregational church, I

doubtless

remember from the manner in which the Lord made him instrumental in communicating a lesson, which has been rendered a great blessing to me. I met him first on the morning of
ever
the day, at a social meeting in one of the tents,

where

Jesus

was eminently

present.

He

spoke wqth such power and sweetness of the

deep things of God, as conveyed a conviction

to the hearts of the friends of Jesus, that the

secret of the

Lord was with him.

was

also

greatly blessed in

my own

soul,

and was perspirit,

mitted to feel sweet freedom of

while

conversing on the things of God.

After the

meeting closed, we were introduced, and permitted to take sweet counsel together.

This

was previous to the morning exercises from the stand. At noon, he came to our tent, and
to

my

surprise and sorrow

saluted

me

thus

194

" THE

WAY
,

OF HOLINESS."

" Well, Mrs.

ing you
ligious

if I

should be saying some-

thing very good about you, I should be prais;

should

not ?"

Contemplating a reI

compliment, which

tiously disapprove, and disappointed that I

most conscienhad
in

as

conceived,
to

made

miscalculations in refer-

ence

the depth of his

knowledge
said,

the

things of God, I looked up at

him reprovingly,
" I suppose

and with evident displeasure

it

would be
of

called so."
let

He hesitated a moment,
form enduring concep-

long enough to
tions

me

then, with childlike " Let us speak good of God." sweetness, said,
the
trial,

and

Then
let

turning to the company, with a beseechsay,

ing look and tone, continued to

"Come,
be
of-

us

all

speak well of the name of the Lord.

He

has done

much

for us.

He

will not

hath said, ' Whoso offereth praise, glorifietli me.'' " Many Scriptural exfended, for
hortations to pi'cdse the

He

Lord were then brought

a

forward, and

we had

blessed

season

in

speaking well of the name of the Lord. I have not been perplexed in any degree with the
temptation since, that
self,
I

am

talking about viy-

when

am

telling

what the Lord has

NOTES BY THE WAY.

195

done for me.

the

I feel that 'praising the

Lord

is

byfar the most effectual

of

way

of disclaiming

work, which some untaught in the things God might conceive of as arising from some
;

inherent good in ourselves

felt

and

have since
to comwork of

and clierished an increased longing

municate, to the praz^ft of God, the

His

spirit

on

my

heart.

The

proper principle

of hinnility has thus,

by

this trial,

been brought
grasp, as to

with such tangibility within

mind, that

my

leave a continual and blessed certainty on

my

God

has indeed given

I

me
God

the grace

of perfect humility.
it,

joyfully
If

acknowledge
has given
it

to the glory of
it is

His grace.

it,

His

gift.

I have not given

I

to

myHis

self.

Oh, how much

love

to

praise

name.

Well may
"

the poet say,

Eternity's too short

utter all

To

His praise."

God gave
lieart

a signal

answer

to

prayer also

on the morning of

this

memorable day.

My

had been earnesdy aspiring

during the
fell

after greater

conformity to the Divine Image, and stronger

faith,

preceding day.

The
*'

last

breathing, as I

asleep at night was,

Lord

196

"the way of

holiness."
in

increase

my

faith."

was awakened
iiour,

the

morning,

at a

very early

by the powerful

application of this passage, "

confidence that

And this is the we have in him, that if we ask any

;

thing according to his will, he hearetli us

if

and

we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." The Holy Spirit took of the things of God and revealed them to me, and I
received clearer and more inspiring views of
the simplicity of faith, than ever
the previous

before
to,

at

morning meeting alluded

while

the disciples of Jesus were talking so sweetly

of the things that appertain to the kingdom,

my
ion,

mind

for a

few moments was drawn from

the interesting circle, to

my

beloved compan-

who, by professional duties, was seldom

permitted to participate in such scenes.

Gratitude, desire and
contrasting the
his.
'^

sympathy blended, in amount of my privileges with how much he would enjoy such a
;

season as this," thought I when the question presented, " why may he not be especially and
powerfully blest j'z^5^ now, where he is?" "All

human

Drobabilities are against

it,"-

was sug-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

197 riding about

gested in reply, " he

is

just

now
ii

the streets of a busy ciiy, and

the ordinary

would be out of
of working,
his ordi-

way

of God's

manner

and he does not work miracles when nary way of dealing

mitted to."
all

may

just as well be subit

Immediately
are possible

was presented,
God, and
all

things

with

things are possible to

it

him
?

that believeth.

Is

not according to the will of

God

that

he

should be blessed
spirit of

now

Does not

the whole
?

His word warrant you

in this belief

And
you
;

if

it is

according to His revealed will,

then you have the confidence that

and

if

you

know
that
I

that

He heareth He heareth,
things

then you

may know
Him.

you

liave the

you

desire of

now

felt

that I
to 1

had

sufficient warrant

from the word,

;

assure

me
to

that I might ask confidently

and

began
bless

say, " Oh, Lord

distance,

time, and

place

are one with thee

just

oh,

bless

him

him

now
be.

in a I

powerful manner, wherever he

leave

may

my

petition

before the

throne, presented in the

name

of Jesus.
I

"I

felt

a perfect confidence that what

according
lo the will of

had asked was

I

God, and knew that

17

1!)8

"the way of

holiness."

I had desired of God. My mind was then recalled to the circumstances by which I was surrounded. The answer to my petition was not again brought to my recollec-

had ihe things

tion until the

Sabbath

after

my

return,

when

my

husband remarked what a blessed day he

'' All at once," said he, had on Thursday. " as I was riding about, with my mind in no

way

specially engaged, such a heavenly influ-

ence came

down upon me, and remained with

I

me

all

day, that

thought some one must have

been praying forme.

Was

it

not

then told him the manner in which

engaged
ther, in

that

morning,

and the

you?" I had been answer reI

ceived, and

we had
of the

a season of rejoicing toge-

view

condescension of God.
traveller in the high-

August.

Met another

way

to-day.

lie gave a statement of the

man-

ner of the Spirit's operations, which,

though

unusual, was instructive

truly, in reference to

and edifying.

How
Spirit

the

work of

the

may

it

be said,
it is

*'

there are diversities

of ope-

rations, but
all in all."

the

same God which worketh

career of the
to get

believer,

And yet in the early how anxious generally

an ex-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

199

perience in minutia3 like others, and

to dissatisfaction

how prone

when

this is
earl)^

not attained.
training with the
nfiay

Mr.

received his

Hicksite Friends.

His prepossessions, as
all

be presumed, were
in religion.

opposed

to

excitement

The Lord gave him

became
his

a pious wife, a traveller in

who,
the

in process of time,

way
orre

of holiness.

In the

mean

while,

when

on

occasion pleading in

chamber, he

was also made a partaker of the pardoning mercy of God, and united in church fellowship with his companion. He was glad when she became a zealous seeker of holiness, hoping
that her experience

might be instructive

to

him,

as

he knew

but little about the subject,

it

other-

wise than as he had heard of

doctrine peculiar
afternoon, while
to

merely as a
the

a sect.
in

One Sabbath
apart

sitting

the house of

Lord,

in

an unexpected moment,

seem-

ingly from any

human
it

instrumentality, light

in reference to the

nature of the blessing, the

terms upon which

were presented
acceptance.

in

was to be received, &c., aluminous manner, for his

his part were, liie

The terms on

entire sacrifice of all to

God, and taking upon

200

"the way

of holiness."

himself the obligation to profess the blessing

on receiving

it.

He remembered some who

Lord,

were over him

receive

in the

who

did not profess

holiness, and thought, " Surely they will not

my
or

testimony, and will think

;"

me

as-

suming

presumptuous
at

and though he

much

desired the blessing, he finally concluded that

he would not
ceive
it

once make up his mind to re-

on such terms.

On coming

to

this

conclusion, the light that he had received in

reference to the nature of the
the
blessing,

and
for
it,

manner

in

which
all

it

was

offered

his acceptance, and

prospect of attaining
it

-vanished as suddenly as

had been presented.

to

For the two succeeding months, a darkness

be
felt

brooded over his pathway.

In appa-

bemoaned comply with the conditions, scarcely daring to hope that the Spirit would again take of the things <i)f God, and reveal them to him. Bui suddenly, as on the former
rently unavailing lamentations, he
his

refusal

to

occasion, while under the word, the blessing

was again offered, and the same conditions presented. With eagerness, his whole heart flew iQ embrace the offer, and said, " Let it come

NOTES BV THE WAV.

in

201

any way, only

let

it

come

When

it

came,

and with such mighty power, that the day of

Pentecost could scarcely have witnessed
individual experience, a scene
ing,
in

more astoundwas

uncontrollable,

or unaccountable on the

principles

of

mere

human
as of a

reason, than

presented

in his

extraordinary exercises.

The

"sound from heaven,

whelming

rushing mighty

Tvind," could scarcely have

in its influences

been more over-

on that day,

when

anciently given, than on this occasion.

For about four hours, he was no more under his own control, or that of his friends around him, than the apostles were when first baptized
with ihe Holy Ghost.
tized as suddenly

Many

others were baptime.

at the

same

He

still

continues a flaming witness of the

power

of

saving grace.

Wednesday. Was much blessed to-day by " We lose much,"" a remark from Dr. Bangs.
said he,
'^

in

uothe'mg definite
?

in

our petitions.
be at the

Now what do we most want

tions.**

let that

present time, the definite subject of our petiI

began
?" I

to

ask myself,

*'

/hat do

most want

remembered

that Jesus

had

202
said,

"the way of

hgliness."

" Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in

will give
it

my

name, he

you.""

asked

for

an

enlarsjement of soul, and then that these enlarged

capacities
nnight be filled with

God.

left

my
the

petition

before the
;

throne,
felt

presented in

name

of Jesus

but
I

assured that I

should have the things

had desired of God.

after requested to

Was

almost immediately

converse with one earnestly seeking the Lord.

a surprising expansion of soul, and

Soon afterward, at an unexpected moment, found was filled

with the fulness of

I

God

to

such a degree, that

?"

was

led to exclaim, "

What can this mean

when

a conviction as powerful as though audi-

bly uttered, assured me,

to the petition that

before the throne,

"This is the answer you some time since left presented in the name of Je
a
it

sus."

Thursday.

Learned
of learning

lesson

to-day.

The manner
ful.

was somewhat

pain-

The Lord
'*

grant that the effect

doth not
afflict

may be

lasting.

He

the children of

men

willingly!'^

Oh

that I

may

not grieve
it

the heait of Infinite Love, by

making

needful

NOTES BY THE WAF.

that the lessons intended to be

203

communicated

through each
repeated.

trial,

as

pass onward in the

heavenly way, by being unheeded, sliould be

I

was

constantly
I

so surrounded
ar-

by

the multitude, that

began to long most

into

dently for opportunity to get

the

secret

presence of the Lord.

had

for the

few days

preceding, been endeavoring to bear the bur-

dens of others with but

little

intermission, and
little

had thus
the Lord.

far

been permitted but

time for

the purpose of presentmg

my own
L,

case before

Now, thought

I will

get alone

with God.

Am I

to

presume
to

that this ability

to be useful will last, if I thus permit

my

sea-

sons for private devotion

be broken in upon
?

by these
I

ceaseless interruptions
in

Finding,

if

remained

the

tent, there

was but

little

prospect of obtaining

my

wish, I concluded to

seek some solitary place apart from the multitude

;

but turn which

way
it

would,

some one disposed

last,

to beguile

my
I.

time.

met with At
deter-

despairing to obtain
to

thus,
to

turned, with
tent,

a resolve not

be

foiled,

my

mined that I would have it there. Scarcely had I retired with the intention of trying to feel

204

"the way of
still

holiness."

alone, though

but

little

multitude,

when dear
wishes
!"

sister

Mrs.
*'

G
dear

to see

removed from the S said, " Sister, you." I looked up

with a degree of disappointment,

Oil,

and

said,

and went
to
;

to see the friend.

in

She
I

had come purposely

to the

seek advice
but
I

reference

way

of holiness

found that

had

not the special help of the Spirit in conversation that 1

had been accustomed

to,

and was
to

startled at the difference.

The

ability
It

be

useful
that I

seemed

to

be withheld.

was then
abih'ty

apprehended most keenly that the

from God.

was was
ing,

a special gift

On

enquiring of

the Lord, after the friend had retired,

that this trial

why

it

was permitted,

was imme-

diately given to see that I had been endeavor-

of

though ignorantly, to get out of the order God. And I now see that the only way to
to others, or to

be a blessing
entering
providential

be blessed,

is

by

promptly
to

and rejoicingly into the

openings thus hourly presented,

and that the time

work

is

plainly

indicated

by the manner of the

such labor
is

Spirit's operations

on the
;

hearts of others in sending

as truly the

them to me and work of the Lord,

NOTES BY THE WAY.

205

and as pleasing
the closet.
It

to Him, was not a

as

is

the devotion of

wilful trespass.

My

heavenly Father

knew

it,

and did not severely

chide, but he taught

me

a lesson which I hope

everto profit by when similarly circumstanced.

Oh, how much need

pensation, atonement

for the continual applica-

tion of the blood of Jesus.

Under the old diswas necessary for sins of

ignorance.

Under

the new, a high priest that

can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities

ever presents the soul-cleansing, peace-

speaking blood in our behalf, and the sacrifice

still

ascends,
It

a sweet
said

savor of Christ unto

is

God.

was

by one, " Conviction

not

condemnation."
of the soul
is this

How

important for the peace

knowledge. In the experience

just narrated, I

remark.

have proved the justness of the Wilful transgression necessarily

;

brings condemnation

but a kind father

may

convict a would-be dutitui child cf error, and

yet not condemn.

Sunday.
precious
love.
I

Was permitted
the

to

partake of the
Saviour's dying
of the

memorials of

was enabled through the blood

everlasting covenant, to enter into closer

and

206

"the way of holiness."

sensible

communion with God than I While bringing to lively rem.embrance the momentous price paid for the redemption of the soul, and summing up every power and faculty, that nothing might be wanting to make the sacrifice complete, I realized most deeply and consciously that I was enabled
more
can express.
to lay hold

upon the strength of omnipotence,

and enter inta covenant with the Lord

deemer.

my Recom-

Such

a full and delightful assurance

was given
given
that I
all,

that I had, through the Spirit,

plied with the terms of the

covenant, and had

and was now receiving all in Christ, seemed to be lost and swallowed up in
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
I

God.

know
world

that
to

am

crucified to the world,

and the

me.

Sep. 10th.

Two
God

friends, for

whose conver-

sion I have been

most deeply

interested, called

to-day.
is

They have

both tasted that the Lord

good, and are now, with most grateful hearts,

of their salvation.

rejoicing in the

Since

Mrs.
or

^'s

conversion, which

was but a week

a
vi-olent

two

since,

God

has also given her her husher.

band

to

accompany

He was

NOTES BY THE WAY.

207
to

opposer,

and when she asked permission

two or three weeks since, with the hope, though unexpressed, of finding the Lord, his consent was
attend a special

means

of grace

very reluctantly given, fearing, as he

said, that

she would get a religion that would make her

melancholy all her days. After some persuasion, he concluded to let her go. The Lord
healed her wounded
returned
reliction.

spirit

while there, and she

in the

home very happy

enjoyment of
sjra-

On telling

her husband of the

cious change, he became greatly enraged, and

one
acal

in the

days of the Saviour, under demonicould

scarcely

influence,

have shown
to the

more malignity and deep-rooted hatred

cause of Christ, than did
espoused.
this individual

toward

the cause that the beloved of his

bosom had

She

had anticipated opposition,

but
to

little

imagined the mighty storm that was

meet

her, on thus disclosing the secret of her

joy to him,

who

she ever had reason to regard

happiness, her devoted

as the friend of her

husband

and she knew not where the storm

would end, but continued casting herself upon her almighty Saviour for sustainment and

208

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

succor in this her day

of trouble.

It

was on

Friday she told him of the happy change, and

persecution raged

with unabated
in

fury until

Saturday night, when,

loaded a
pistol,

his desperation,

he

and said that he would put an

end

lo

his existence,

which had been renall

dered so miserable by the blighting of

future prospects.

his

But he who holdeth the

tempest

in his

hand, prevented the execution of

his design.

Finding that his threats were powerless In moving her, he now began another course. " Do you beheve in the Trinity ?" he authori"Yes," she meekly retatively demanded. " And what reason have you plied, *' I do."
for

such a belief,"
it,"

said

he.

"

The

Bible

teaches

she responded, " and

I believe all

that is taught in the Bible."

his belief in the doctrine

He

then denied
Trinity,

of the
silent

but
to

soon afterward became

and began

weep, and continued

to

weep during
Undetermined

the rein

mainder of the night.

her

own mind

as to the

character of his sorrow

re-

whether induced from excessive vexation,

morse, or penitence, she said nothing.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

In the morning, he informed her that he had

not hadone moment's peace since he denied his
belief in the Trinity.
**

"And now," said he, you will not go with me, I have made up my mind to go with you." He now became an earnest seeker of salvation, and went with her that morning to the house of God. In the afternoon, they were detained, from some indisposition in the family, from attending church. He expressed to his beloved comsince

panion his resolute determination to lead a

life,

new

and gave evidence of his sincerity by his

expressions of godly sorrow, and bringing forth

fruits

meet

for repentance.

But she greatly

feared his again mingling in business with the

sceptical associations to

which he would be ex-

posed, and
cret before

left

him, to pour out her soul in se-

God.

On

her leaving him, he took

up

the Bible, and opened on these words,

"But

thou,

when thou prayest, et?ter into thy and when thou hast shut tjiy door, pray
Father which
is

closet,

to thy

in

secret

and thy Father,

the

which seeth
ly."

in secret, shall

reward thee open-

He

felt that

the Bible

was

Word

of

the Lord, and really believed the declaration

18

210
that

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS.''
to

had been presented

and God gave

him, and began to

pray earnestly, and behevingly, for the blessing

imphed
ful

it,

and made him a joy-

witness of his pardoning mercy.

When

Mrs.
had done

returned to the room, he threw his

arins around her neck,

for his soul.

and declared what God

Thus was
to the

the lion in a

few short hours transformed

*

lamb.

" Is there a thing too hard for thee,

AUnighty Lord of all

Whose threatening looks dry up And bid the mountains falL"

the sea,

Thursday, 13th.
tent reigneth.

The

Lord God omnipo-

Yes
glorious,

" Jesus reigns, he reigns victorious,

Over heaven and earth most

Jesus reigns."

He

reigns triumphant in

my

soul.

I at pre-

sent enjoy, through his

all-abounding grace,

conscious victory over

sin, death, and the grave. Oh, what a conquest over timid nature hath

grace gained.

Some

time since, I said to

my

companion, when on the eve of retiring for the night, " the skeptic could scarcely conceive
that the believer in Christ,

could feel such a

NOTES BY THE WAY,

perfect

211
hin^i,

repose and confidence in

thai
I

on retiring to rest, he could say, I feel that repose

so confidently in the
it is

arnr.s

of infinite

love, that
I

matter of no solicitude, whether

awake

in

time or in eternity

but

I,

do indeed

feel that I

can say so."

This day, the obser-

vation

has been brought forcibly to

a

my
had

relast

membrance by
night.
I

singular

dream

thought three or four

members

of

our family, with myself, were sitting together,

bade the person

entered.

when some one knocked for admittance. I in, when to our surprise, a be-

loved brother, deceased about two years since,

Though we
fact, that

all

seemed perfectly

aware of the

he was a visitant from

in

the spiritual world, yet he

see us, and greeted us

fectionate
life,

seemed so pleased to same lovely, afmanner, so familiar to him when in

the

that

we

could not find

it

in

our hearts to

yield to any thing like a repulsiveness of man-

ner toward him, on account of the strangeness

of the visitation.

After presenting his hand,

to each,

and giving an affectionate kiss

to

he came

me, and with still stronger marks of endearment than with the others, throwing his arm

213

"the way of holiness."

my neck, with an indescribable look of fondness and affection, he said, " You will be
around
with

me

Sabbath," and immediately

left

the room.

Consternation

now

sat

on every
ensued,
''did

countenance, and an awful silence

which

was

the

first to

break,

by asking,

he say, on Sabbath, or after Sabbath ?" He had been so hasty in the delivery of his message, that I had lost the word, and their consternation on hearing the announcement,

had

been such, that they had also

precise time.
of

failed to hear the

From

that time to the

moment

my

waking, which was seemingly two or

three hours, T

was engaged

in

rations similar to those that

making prepawould have been

made, had the dream been an actual announcement from the spiritual world. When I awoke,
it still

lingered with the

vividness of reahty

upon
ture,

my

mind.

My

feelings forbade

my

en-

tering with zest into contemplations of the fu-

which the scenes around

It

me were

calcu-

lated to cherish.
I

was

my

impression, that
;

was about
if

to finish
it

my

earthly pilgrimage

and

my

seemed but reasonable that time should be spent in a manner to corso soon,

NOTES BY THE WAY.

Sl8
cir-

respond with the momentousness of the

cumstance.

And

yet

it

was

a dream, and the

idea of having

my

mere dream,
fluenced
little
;

mind thus influenced by a was fearful might appear visIn-

ionary, and give unnecessary uneasiness.

by

these considerations, I said but

yet the circumstances in which

my mind

was

placed, gave abundant opportunity to test

the truth of the

observations with which I

commenced
to

my

Over and again it came mind during the morning, that the Lord
to write.

might have permitted

the

trial,

to test the

strength of the principle so confidently assert-

ed on the evening alluded to

the

and blessed be

name of the Lord, it still continued ^rm, when brought to this trying test. About noon^
something having a bearing
riance with
tion
;

on

the

future,
at va-

needed a promptness of action, quite

my
to

impressions of speedy dissoluto

and

in

endeavoring

in reference

the subject, I

draw nigh to God, was permitted

near and

sweet access to the throne, while

asking, that

intimation that I
earth,

the

was intended as a sure was done with the things of impression that it was indeed
if this trial

214
so,

"the way of
might be deepened
;

holiness."
if

but

only intended to
to

test the confident

behef expressed
I

my

commight
an-

panion on the occasion referred

be so removed, that

to, it

might

feel that I

had yet

something

to

do

v/ith the

world.
I

A direct

swer was given, and immediately that it had only been permitted
the plausibility spoken
of, in

was assured to assume all

I

order to bring the

most tangible evidence

dently expressed.

to

my

mind, that

had

not been mistaken in the belief I had so confi-

October 13th.

Just returned from a

has been with

visit to

B my

The Lord

me

during

absence from

my

beloved family, and im-

parted the strong and increasingly confirming

consolations of his Spirit.
I started

on the

24lh, and went through a journey of about two

hundred miles
during the day.

in

one day, with comfort.

sweet, heavenly calmness, pervaded

my mind

Aware

that the

multiplicity

of scenes through which I should pass, were

calculated to dissipate the mind,
I

sought unto

God, and was enabled

dently on

to

repose most confiI carried in

my

Almighty Saviour.

my

hand a

little

book, entitled the "Believers'

NOTES BY THE WAT.

Inheritance,"

215

being a compilation of precious

promises.

An

inheritance, indeed

!'

respond*

ed

my

soul, as I feasted

upon

the exceeding
I

great and precious promises.

had prayed
in

much

that the glare of outward circumstance

to

might not be permitted

quiet of
to a

break

upon the

my

soul.

The

petition

was answered
room,
under-

degree beyond

my

expectations.

Seldom

in the quietness of

my own
all

has the peace of God, that passeth

standing, been more absorbingly realized. ..It seemed but to close my eyes on outward
things, in order to be in no

ordinary degree

alone with God.

It

was

to this

heavenly selittle

renity of soul, that 1 attributed, mainly, the

fatigue

of body I

felt,

in accomplishing the

journey.
I

was enabled

to

urge the subject of religion

earnestly on the ladies'

maid for the cars. She became deeply interested, and 1 am in expectation of seeing fruit of

my

labor in the eternal

I

world, to the praise of God.

have often been

greatly encouraged in similar attempts to be instant in season

and out of season. Eternity alone can disclose the amount of good that has thus

^IC

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."
little

been accomplished by some of Christ's "

ones/'

What

a noble example

was

the sainted

Carvosso.

Sabbath, 25th.

Rained during
my

the morning,

which prevented

going to the Lord's house.

Found an

effort

necessary to ward off the pro-

pensity to ordinary, or every-day topics in those

around me.
laid his
ject.

hand on

am thankful that the Lord has me in reference to this subchild I

From a

was taught

to

sanctify

the

Sabbath, and

my
to

associations of good,

whether

in relation

temporal or spiritual

prosperity,

was most

religiously blended with

a careful observance of this hallowed day.

The

Lord so blessed early parental admonitions, and the instructions of his blessed Word to my infant heart, that I can scarcely remember the time when I was not influenced by the opin
ion, that if I

thought or conversed on topics of

interest, that I

mere worldly

need not expect

matter in

prosperity in the prosecution of the

contemplation.

The Holy

Spirit

is

just

now

urging upon

my
was

mind, a period

when this

principle of right

80 blended with that which

was

questionable,

NOTES BY THE WAY.

that
it

217

was hardly

to be decided

scale at the time preponderated.

which way the I had been

making

quite extensive preparations for a

It

New

Year's festival.

was Saturday evening, Dethoughts on the Sabbath,

if

cember 3 1 St.
to think

Fearful that I should be tempted

my own

not

all in

readiness for the early calls antici-

pated on Monday, I concluded to forego the

practice to

which
i.

had been from childhood

accustomed,

e.

of going to the sanctuary, and

there with the solemn assembly, renewing

my

covenant with

God.

But

thought

would
Before

most carefully devote the

I

last

hour of the exthat but fifteen

piring year to this purpose, at home.

was aware,

was admonished

minutes remained, ere the New Year should be ushered in ; and the religious observances, which by the force of habits, I think, graciously formed, had
still

become sacredly binding,

remained untouched. The Spirit which had before been silently reproving, now chid" What but this ingly appealed to my heart

little

remnant of the year

to

devote to the for-

mation of new purposes, and the renewal of

your covenant engagements with

God

?"

It

218

'

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

Heavenly Father reproved, and I felt most painfully oppressed, and grieved, from a review of the manner in which his superior

was

my

claim upon this important hour, had been resisted, and I scarcely dared to look up for help
in this

my

time of need.
I felt

was upon me, and

sist

that

But the hand of God it would be but a

greater triumph for the adversary, ^hould I de-

from entering into those engagements.

It

Scarcely had this point been settled, before another formidable barrier presented.
fearful possibility of breaking the

was

the

engagements,

by the temptations that might be anticipated from the diversified society, in which I was expecting to mingle on

Monday
vow,

" Better

is it

that thou shouldst not

than that thou

shouldst

vow and
Spirit

not pay," said the

enemy

But the
ance of

urged upon

my mind
this

the solemn

duty of vowing to God, and a careful perform-

my vows

and with

pow^ful conknelt be-

viction, I took the blessed

Word and

fore the Lord, with an

indescribable sense of

responsibility weighing

down my spirit, which was penetrated with an unusual consciousness

of innate helplessness.
I

began

to

pour out

NOTES BY THE WAY.

219

my
me

soul thus

"

Lord

if

thou wilt but give

to strengthen

something from thy Word,

I will,

and encourage me,

assisting

through ihy grace

me, take whatever thou wilt give, as

my

motto during the coming year."

opened on these words

hp^v

"

I
all

then

can do

things
!"

through Chiist, which strengtheneih

me

my

soul

bounded
I

was indeed

the

The word of the Lord power of God unto my soul

!

and scarcely could

ization that this

have had a stronger realthe voice of

was indeed

God

to

me, had
outward

it

been spoken from heaven

to the
I

ear, as well as to the

inmost soul.

now

with delightful elasticity and firmness of

spirit,

renewed

my

covenant engagements, and

;

formed new purposes a prominent one of which was, that T would be more zealous for the Lord of Hosts than I had ever before been, and would take the earliest opportunity to inform

my

friends of the decision, in

order that

the temptations to retreat might be cut off as

speedily as possible.

This was an important

period in
retraced

my pilgrimage, from which I never my way back, to that degree of world-

ly-raindedness that would invest the etiquette of

320

"the way

op*

holinksb."

the day with a vitality sufficiently inspiring or

captivating, to

Christian to

its

draw off the energies of the pigmy pursuits. In reference

to all such things, I

now

think that the royal

heir of heaven, stands in such a

commanding

attitude before the world, that the dignity of his

station

fully
in

qualifies

him

in

saying, *'l

am

engaged down."
,,

a great

work, and cannot come

In

the

afternoon,

went

to

street

churcli.

Heard Mr.

preach a truly

evangelical sermon.

Yet there was an apa-

thy

and irresponsibleness of manner mani-

fested

painful to

by the congregation, that was really me to witness. During singing, I observed that about half the assembly were
sitting,

and the others standing.

have not

ta-

ken
lic

special pains to inform myself of the

most

Scriptural method, for the regulation of pub-

worship, from the impression that these are not the " weightier matters of the law," but I

do

feel

persuaded, that there

is

not only moral

unseemliness, but Scriptural

impropriety in
in,

the listlessness of demeanor indulged

by
I

various denominations of the present day.

NOTES BY THE WAY.

iiavc

221
in

gone

into

churches that

differ

these

non-essentials, with an intention of conforming

to the

usage pecuhar

to the order,

and on do-

ing so, have found myself singled out from the

majoiity of the worshippers, and have afterward

concluded, that

if

my example my

could not be concase in

ducive to uniformity,
nearest

I vrould act in the

accordance with

views of Scriponly-

tural propriety,

and though peihaps the

one

in the w'hole

assembly beside the minister,

ing,

who, hke as God's ancient servant, was kneeland with outstretched hands, supplicating
mercy-seat, turned and knelt, determined
that I

the

would not approach the

in

heaven

such an attitude, as

Majesty of would not dare

In very

approach an earthly sovereign.

things, the

many

Scriptures are not explicit in the

minulia, but most expressly regulate the w^hole

by some one great commanding

thus in reference to this subject,
said,

truth
it

and
in.

has been

"Let
''''

all

things be done decently

and

order.

And why

should not this injunction

?

be regarded as binding on individual professors

The same want

in

of uniformity I have observed

other particulars, with

many who

think

19

222

" THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS."

really love and revere the Sovereign of heaven

and earth.
ship,
war}'-,

Some
an

will

break in upon his worlate

and

attract the

eye and heart of the nnattendance.

place

by

unnecessary

Others, most unceremoniously

them;

selves in an attitude most favorable for repose

such as would be regarded

society,
tion

in ill-taste in polite

and should such unseemliness of acin, in

be indulged

the presence of an earth-

ly potentate, surely the

aggressor would be

spurned from his presence.

grace

And

yet the avow-

ed object of an attendance on the means of

is

to

meet

God

to

worship and hold con-

Him, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the "King of kings, and Lord of Well might preachers of the present lords." day say with the preacher of olden time, "Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God," &c. While at the meeting this afternoon, the Lord
verse with

poured out the

in an

spirit

of supplication

upon

me

unusual manner.

The

cry of

my

heart

was

for a revival of Scriptural holiness in this

It

place.

was a mighty

struggle, but I

was
to

enabled through the omnipotence of grace,

NOTES BY THE WAY.

^J23

come
the

off

more than conqueror.

that

I received

assurance

my

petition

had gone up

before the throne, presented in the

name

of

Jesus, and that I should have the desire of

heart.

my

28.

went
six

to

meeting

this evening,

with a

soul longing for the courts of the Lord.

There

were but

or eight brethren present, and no

sisters

females with the exception of

and myself.
at a

That

faith that

approaches

near to

God, and claims present blessings,

very low ebb.
in

seemed

do not think that

anticipation of a
of
holiness,

one prayer or expression

present bestowment of the gift

was

uttered.

The
to the

expectations that were given in answer

prayer of faith on Sabbath afternoon,

came forcibly to remembrance, and the inquiry was presented, "Are you willing to make every
possible effort toward the accomplishment
this

of

work

?"

My
posal
;

soul replied,

"I

am

not at

my own

dis-

body, soul and

thine
;

spirit,

time, talents and

influerfce are

" Til follow on

if

thou command,

AlliSwell.'"

224

"the way of holiness.

After joining in prayer, I told them of the

manner

in

which

my

soul had been

drawn out

on Sabbath afternoon, for a revival of holiness,

and the way in which

be accomplished,
once
to
if

felt

the

work might

they would but begin at

the hearts of
in

be co-workers with God, by having a

of
it

commencement
present.
I

in

all

then

stated

a
in

concise

as

possible,

the

way

manner which

as
tlie

Lord had made me

a witness of this grace

in

how

it

had affected

me

reference to

my

use-

fulness to others,

by

the far

more comprehenbeen imI

sive views of responsibility that had

posed, and concluded by saying, that

could

not but regard a revival in the hearts of God's

professed people, the necessary foundation, for

a thorough revival of the

its

work

of

God

in all

departments.
After
I

had

finished, a brother arose

and con

fesscd, that

some years

since, he

had been the

ex-

happy possessor of
perience, that
i.

the blessing of holiness,

it,

but did not long retain

it

and

knew from

e. just

was as the sister had said, what was needed for our own happi-

ness and safety, and also to capacitate us for

NOTES BY THE WAY.

225
in

usefulness to others,

and

necessary

the

church, as the foundation for a revival

that he

and
pre-

now
it.

felt

unwilling to live any longer

without

He
tiie

then earnestly asked

all

sent to pray for him, that he might again be

brought into

enjoyment of the blessing.

meeting was greatly revived.
Christian brother,

The who

spirit of the

30. Called

to-day on a

has been exercised with severe affliction

years past.

for several

We

had a season of
of

sweet refreshing, while conversing

the

things that appertain to the kingdom, and also

in

prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,

near.

God was eminently

professors, w^ho
that they

Two young ladies,

at

were present, acknowledged

a distance,

were following God

to live

and were greatly aroused, and resolved on endeavoring

nearer to God.

While

at supper, after

our return, I was apa peculiar case.

pealed to for a decision on

The name

of a person of

undoubted piety

was mentioned, who had

a short time previous,

lost a son at a distance from home.

He

had

been a source of much painful

solicitude, occa-

THE

WAY

OF HOLINESS.

sioned by his profligate habits, and was over-

taken by death, at an unlooked for hour, and

left

no evidence of having been truly regener-

ated.

The

fond mother, agonized at the thought

of his having died unprepared, cried constantly

to

the

Lord

for

some assurance of

his safety,

and on one occasion, while thus pleading, she

became confident in her own mind, that prayer was answered, and the perfect assurance given
of his happiness.

Two

or three unconverted

persons being present,

bility in giving

I felt a

sacred responsi-

an opinion, and was constrained

sister,

to dissent

from the
she

from the

fact that
at the

she

had started from wrong premises

outset.

Had

remembered

that "secret

things belong to God," and those that are re-

vealed to ourselves and childrei>, she would

have seen that

it

was her province

all

to

be

satis-

fied with the allotments of

Divine Providence,
the earth

assured that the Judge of

riglit.

wiU do

There are unalterable principles laid down in the Word of God, by which the character of our requests must be regulated, or
ihey are not recognized in the court of heaven. " This is the confidence we have in him, that

NOTES BY THE WAY.

if

227
to his icill,

we

ask any thing according

he

heareth us."

This

toill is

given in the written

is

word.
this, I

Any

praj'-er

that

not according to

can conceive of no shade of scriptural

propriety in presenting before the Lord.

Such
as

an applicant cannot have his plea so

much

entered before the throne.

Spirit prevents

The sword
the

of the

access to

Judge, by the

sentence,
I

*'

to the

law and
said,

to the teslin:iony."

know

it

may

be

that persons of unin question,)

doubted piety, (as of the case

have had remarkable answers

to that just given,

to pra3'er similar

and some of

whom

have

heard, that have received answers in what they

have conceived

to

be a miraculous manner, in
equally
at va-

dreams, &c., that have been

riance with the Spirit of the

Word.

At once

they wrap themselves in the security of the belief thus attained,

was given
in
in
left

in

answer

from the assurance that it to prayer. Such persons

are unmindful of the fact, that if they

wander
are

any degree from the direct way, marked out

the only
chart
to

God
subtle

has given,

they

exposed

any infatuation that an

insatia-

ble

exceedingly

enemy, can invent.

228

"the way of holiness."

higher the profession and weight of reH-

The

gious influence, the more extensive and com-

manding the harm. Is it impossible enemy, that even quoted Scripture to

viour, to suit his

that an

the Sa-

purpose, can

so transform

himself into an angel of hght, as to answer a

prayer, that received
its

origin on his

own

pre-

mises

and

if

it

is

off the direct line of the

is in

written

Word,

it

surely

a proportionate

degree on his
ling the truth,

own
it is

ground, and however startbut reasonable

to

expect

would respond, and answer it in just the way that would be likely to assume the most plausibility. T have really thought that
that he

Satan made use of a stratagem

unconverted friends,

to

keep some

persons from continuing to agonize for their

by

instigating

them

to

pray for the assurance that they would eventually

be saved.

The answer

is

given

and the
The
hath
error
set.

agony ceases. Meanw-hile the friends continue sinning, and the Word continues to declare,
" the soul that sinnelh,
lies in
it

shall die."

overleaping the bounds

this is

God
is

And when
There
is

done, delusion
to

inevitable.
I

no subject relative

which

have

NOTES BY THE WAY.

229
epistle,

more ardently desired

excellency,

to

be a living

than in reference to the infinite

importance,
of the

and
I

comprehensiveness
do indeed regard
it

Word
why

of

God.

as a sufI

ficient rule for faith

and practice.

wonder
to

the absolute importance of searching the

in

Scriptures,

order,

by a careful study,

show ourselves approved in the sight of God and man, is not more urged, from the pulpit
and the press.

We
to

have no right

to think that

we

shall

be

" thoroughly furnished unto every good work,

or to conceive ourselves otherwise than liable

be carried about by every wind of docwithout ^

CdiX e,i\A

trine,

searching and "compa-

ring of Scripture with Scripture," which surely

implies something more than

mere reading.

most conscientiously believe, and my feelings and judgment bear me out in affirming,

And

that there

is

no subject relative

to

which the

world of professing Christians, on waking up

in the spiritual world, will find

themselves to
reference to

have been more mistaken than

this.
It

in

seems

fuges, to

me as if the. various subterwhich men of otherwise enlightened

to

230

"the way

of holiness."

judgment, betake themselves as a substitute

for the

Blessed Word, must indeed be most

in the

amazing

eye of those

spiritual intelli-

gences by which

we

are

surrounded.
!

"What

a strange, God-dishonoring position

ledge the Bible as the
suffer ourselves to

acknow-

Word

of God, and yet

be governed by our

own

feelings

the views, experience, and

traditions

of others, in reference to it; while every moment liable to be called into the other world, to answer for ourselves, and be judged by our
individual conformity to
its

precepts.

may be given in dreams or visions of the night ? The Spirit From the of the Word settles this matter. earliest, down to the latest period, God hath spoken to his people in this manner. As well might we deny any other part of divine revelaWitness. God said to tion, as to deny this. Abraham in a dream, "Yea, I know thou didst
to prayer,

But are we to God, or answers

reject all manifestations

from

that

this in the integrity of thy

heart,"

&c.

Gen.

20:

6.

Jacob, had a dream in Bethel of the

ladder that reached from earth to heaven.

the Lord stood above
it,

"And
the

and

said,

am

NOTES BY THE WAT.

231

Lord God of Abraham thy Father," &c. Gen. 15. Jacob tells Laban of yet another 28: 10

time

when God spoke

to

him
13.

in

a dream on a

subject quite dissimilar from that on the former

occasion. Gen. 31: 11

And
to

to

show

that
to

God
his

does not confine his communications

chosen people, he speaks

sa3^s to

Laban

in

dream, and

him, " Take heed that thou

speak not
24.

to Jacob, either

good or bad." Ver.

and baker, Gen.

God spake
ch.

to the butler

40

Also

to

Pharaoh, Gen. 41 ch.

I the in

God
make

speaking to Aaron and Miriam, says, "If there

be a prophet among you, myself known unto him

Lord
"

will

a vision, and will

speak unto him

in a

dream," &c.
in

The Lord
night,

appeared unto Solomon

dream by

and

said.

Ask what
"'

I shall

give thee."

Solore-

mon made
quest, and

his choice,

and God granted his

it

he awoke, and behold

:

dream!" 1 Kings 3 5 15. zar, Dan. 4 eh., and the wife of Pilate, Matt. 27: 19, were forewarned by God of impending
judgments by a dream. " An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son
of David, fear not,"

was a Nebuchadnez-

&c. Matt.

1:

20.

The

232

"the way of

holiness.''
in a

wise men were " warned of God

that ihey should not return
2: to

dream,

Herod." Matt.
Matt. 2: 19.

12.

"

An

angel of the Lord appeared in

in
?

dream to Joseph, But why enumerate

a
tions

Egypt."

most

explicit declara-

from God place the matter beyond doubt.

" For

God spcaketh
it

once, yea twice, yet

man

perceiveth
tht3

not.

In a dream, in a vision of
sleep falleth upon men,
;

night,

when deep

in

slumberings upon the bed

then he openeth

the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

that he

may withdraw man from

his
:

purpose,

and hide pride from man." Job 33

invested the subject with
possible,
claration,

14

17.

Early under the Christian dispensation,

still

God
if

higher claims,

upon the attention of man, by the de-

"And
;

it

shall

come

to

pass in the

last days, saith

God,

I will

pour out

my

Spirit

upon

all

flesh

and your sons and your daugh-

ters shall prophesy,

and your young men

shall

sec visions,

and

your old

men

shall

dream
in
lia-

dreams."

And
such
a

yet the

subject,

though standing
seemingly

commanding

attitude, is
it

ble to so

much

abuse, that

has become dis-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

233

reputable for God's servants to say, in the present day,

*'

God spake

visions of the night."

it

to me in a dream, And why is it thus ?

or
Is

not because the Scriptures, the plain, na-

ked

Word

of God,

is

not brought to the ordeal

careful investigation?

of a personal, diligent,

Books of every diversity of sentiment, and men of every manner of opinion are consulted, and
then the precious, neglected, insulted
is

Word,

too often submitted to the ordeal thus erro-

neously begotten. I here most solemnly protest, " in the sight of God who quickeneth all
things, and before Jesus

Christ," that in obe-

dience to the most

confirmed convictions of
sacredly bound,

duty, from the awful deference and honor due

the
in

Holy
and

Spirit, I have

felt

preparing myself for

ill

my

Bible-class exercloset,
first

cises,

the devotions of the

to take the naked, unadorned

Word upon my
in order to

knees

in the

presence of God,

have
the

my

mind

primarily

pre-occupied
Spirit, before
it

with

teachings of the

was submitted to the dictations of men, however learned or good. With deep abasement before God. I would also state, that not unfrequently I have
20

Holy

234

" THE

WAY
little

OF HOLINESS."
child, conscious of per-

gone as a simple
fect ignorance,
error,
if left

and

liability to

most egregious
that
is

one moment unprotected by a sugiven by inspiration, and

perior
*'

wisdom and guidance, and believing

is

all

Scripture

profitable for doctrine^ reproof, correction,

and

instruction in righteousness," have asked relative to portions of the

Word

that I could not at

once apprehend
tion,

direct

and special illuminagiven.

and

it

has been

After having

thus sought unto God, 1 have conscientiously

made use
blessed

of every available help, and

God

has

me

greatly in meeting

vi^iih

sentiments

not only corroborative of those already received, but also helpful toward
still

farther illumi-

nation.

Some who may have been despoiled

such sentiments as those with which

of some

long cherished hope, by the promulgation of

I

coni-

menced
to say,

my present reflections, may

be disposed
in

perchance chidingly, as anticipated

ancient time, Deut. 18:21,

"How

shall

we

know
ken,"

the
if

word which

the

Lord hath not spo-

expectations so sincerely begotten,

?

are so exceedingly dubious

The

ever-unal-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

terable principles regulating the

235

government of
are

God, as
tinct,

laid

down

in the

Word,

so dis-

connpact, and con:iprehensive, that I have

in all

never yet,

my experience,
;

found one case

I

but what has been touched, neither do

ever

expect to find one

and were

expecting

my

pilgrimage to be lengthened out to the age of

Methuselah, and temptations from the world,

the flesh, and Satan, continually increasing in

poignancy,
spirits

and

subtlety of

invention,

and

of

darkness

thickening in

numbers,
should
than

for the

mighty

conflict,

do

I think I

need
the

any

other

shield

or

weapon

Word
is

of

God

the

Sword

of the Spirit.

Furnished with

this

mighty weapon,

every

man
his

invested with power not only to fight

battles,

own

but to plead his

is

own

cause.

How

unlike earthly tribunals

It is

the court of

heaven.

but seldom

we

hear of an individ-

ual sufiiciently acquainted with the technicalities

of law

to

assume the

responsibility of

pleading his

own

cause, and few are possessed

with the
the most

facilities,

had they the disposition

but here, with the

Holy

Spirit as the teacher,

skil-

humble believer may, by having

236
fully

*'

THE WAY OF HOLINESS."

Spirit,

wielded the Sword of the

and made

way through every conceivable difficulty, come up thus thoroughly furnished before the
his

throne

present

his

cause, and be

as truly

shielded from insult, neglect, or rejection, as

though he were clothed

Scriptural

in the person of Christ.

demonstration

asserts

that

he

is

clothed with Christ.

Shielded by the atone-

ment, he

is in

verity as impervious to the asas

saults of the

enemy,

He who is

called in the

and true WITNESS the Word of God." Tuesday. Again attended Mr. the The Lord has doubtless minister's class. commenced a good work in very many souls
,

ever blessed Bible, " the faithful

here, but

it

is

surprising that I hear as

as a

little

about
as

holiness,

present attainment,
of
.

or as

within
it

the

reach

the

believer,

though

were not a

distinctive feature in our

so, is surely

economy. The fact of its being a tremendous consideration. It

in ancient time.
*'

v/as

asked

and the reply, "

What Much every

profit hath the

Jew

?"

way^''

is

surely

an answer that should sink with fearful weight

on the ear and heart of every Methodist,

cir-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

237

cumstanced as we are

in the order of

God,
as

in

reference to this subject.

The

fact of

having

received, from God, through such

ley, Fletcher,

men
this

Wes-

Nelson, Bramwell, and a host of

glorious

other heaven-ovirned luminaries,

doctrine, as

revealed in

the blessed

Word,

throws a weight of responsibility most tre-

mendous
people.
I

in magnitude,

upon our ministry and

sometimes fear that the nature and depth

thus imposed, will not

of the obligations

be

fully realized, until the clear light of eternity shall disclose the subject in all its bearings.

verily believe that

when God

thrust the

Wes-

ley's out to raise a holy people,

a distinct organization, with

ple, childlike, enlightened

men

and we became of such sim-

and yet noble piety,

under God,
affairs, that

at

the head of our ecclesiastical

he really intended that

we

should

retain

more of those distinctive features by which our economy is characterized, as dissimilar

in

doctrine

and usage from

I

other

evangelical bodies.

know

it

is

thought by
as a

many

of our

warm

admirers, that we,

people, have but received the polish inevitable

238

"the way of
oft

holiness."

from

repeated usage, as handed

lost in that

down by
quite unIf the

busy time, having only

suited to
refining

which was

deemed miseemly and rough, and

the enterprise

of the

age.

fire

the

Spirit of holiness,
all

were more

signally blended with

lighting

our

operations, and

down upon

our assemblies more now,

;

than in ancient time, I might think so too

it is

but

the Spirit that giveth

life,

and

that Spirit

can only be cherished by the unostentatious,

careful,

humble, childlike dependence on God,

that led the fathers of

Methodism

to discounte-

nance the glare of the world

ley say,
afraid of

that

made Weswas
would

by precept and example,

the rich,

that he

not but

that he

tolerate them, for

some

of his friends were

the titled dignitaries of the

day
it

but the tide

of mere worldly popularity,

he took the utmost pains

in
piety,

not

in

well known, ward off. Weight numbers, was the design

is

to

most evident, and the most

standing out on the

striking feature

economy, of which he was, under God, the originator. the pastor of this charge, Rev. Mr. has been on my mind almost day and night,
face of the
,

NOTES BY THE WAY.

since the
is

239

first

of

my

coming

to this place.

He

an able minister of the

!

New

Testament, but
lips

oh

how much he needs

altar.

that his

should

be touched with a

live coal,

from

off the hal-

lowed

God

in

The more I trace the hand of His usual mode of working with the
more
I

people, the

see the necessity of His

appointed

ambassadors

being

experimental
of

witnesses of the attainableness

proclaim.

what they

The

experience

of one such goes

farther toward bringing

others on the

same

ground, than the most labored theories of inany^ speak that we know, unable to say, "

We

and

testify of that

we have

seen."

A
in

pleasing exhibition of the justness of these

observations
the

was given me by a beloved

of

friend

statement

her experience.

Her

early religious associations

were with a deno-

mination unfavorable to the doctrine of holiness

as admitted

by our people.

But she began

to

seek most earnestly for a

state of entire con-

formity to the will of God, and having been in-

formed that there was a people that held

to the

possibility of attaining such a state, she sought

them

out,

and united

in

church fellowship with

240

"the way Of

HOLINESS."-

them.

a Bible doctrine, strengthened and

She now heard holiness spoken of as and her soul was greatlyencouraged
in

the pursuit,

yet she earnestly desired to hear sonae one say, " Iknoiv it Ifeel it.''

At

length, her wish

was

gratified.

She had
hope of

resorted to a

camp meeting with

the

being more fully informed, not only by pnlpit

ministration, and Biblical exposition, but

by the
it

concurrence of living testimony

for the latter that she

and

was

most greatly longed.

Her heart had already assented to the commanding truth that hoHness is a Bible doctrine. The Lord in great mercy moved the spirit of one of his chosen servants to discourse most
sweetly on the nature and privilege of a state
of hoUness.
onl}'-

" Oh," thought she,

*

'*

if I

could

now

hear him say,

I enjoy

it,'

I should

be

satisfied."

Soon afterward,

as if

moved by
the

a divine im-

pulse with a holy heroism, he

lifted

up

to the

gaze of the eager multitude,

taining his commission
*'

chart con-

the Book

of books.
this

Oh," said he, "

doctrine

do not only proclaim

glorious

to

you from

this

blessed

NOTES BY THE WAY.

241

Book, but

have

it liere^''

and then
" / have
brouojht

reaching

forth the Bible towards the

and placing his

weeping assembly, hand upon a heart bursting

it

with emotion, he repeated

her
soul

lierey

*'Itis enough," she exclaimed.

in cr
lonsjino:

That eveninto

was

the

way of holiness. One evening this week,

,

met with Mrs.

a person of sincere piety, with

whom

think I should have enjoyed unmingled pleasure,

had

it

not been

for

a propensity to in-

dulge

in the habit

of speaking lightly of the

office.

ministry.

I revere the sacred

I fully

believe that our ministry generally have been

moved by
pel.

the

Holy Ghost

to

preach the goswith responsi-

Tf so, they are

invested

As ambassafrom the court of heaven, they receive dors their commission from the King of kings. An
bilities of infinite

magnitude.

ambassador from an earthly monarch

is

deemed
of the

honorable by the degree of responsibility with

which he
amenable

is

invested, and the

to

dignity

throne which he represents,

for a faithful

which he is delivery of the embas-

sy entrusted.

An

ignominious reception of

242

"the way of

holiness."

his message, or dishonor cast

is

upon

his person,

recrarded as done unto the

;

throne which he
will

represents

and

thus,

doubtless,

the
or

King
or

of

Heaven hold those

individuals
lightly

communities responsible, who

esteem

disadvantageously speak of those legally

authorized ambassadors from the court of heaven,

whom
God.

he hath

commissioned

to stand

in Christ's stead, to

beseech

men

to

be recon-

ciled to

The day of eternity will doubtless reveal that many a message of mercy has been rejected

by the

lost sinner,

from the

fact that his

heart had been rendered impervious by slan-

derous reports or whisperings of " lowness of

piety," or nameless disqualifications,

some

of

which may have gained currency, or received the sanction of silence from some who profess
the

name

of

Christ.

God
;

has assured

my

heart that

men

are answerable for truth, from

it

whatever source
those

comes

and

in reference to

whom

he hath anointed and sent forth

to

preach the everlasting gospel,

He

hath written
not mine

upon
iin

my

inmost

soul,

''

Touch

anointed, and do

my prophets
evil,

no harm."

From

indulgence in this

many

unquestiona-

NOTES BY THE WAY. bly prove the displeasure of the

243

King

of glory,

bring barrenness upon their

own

souls,

and

in-

cur the awful responsibility of being instru-

mental of inducing a rejection of God's

sage.

mes-

On Tuesday
young

evening, Miss

an amiable
the

lady, called to see

me.

Her mind has

been deeply interested

subject of holiness.
I

for

some lime on

lifted

my

heart to the

Lord

for a

word

in

season, and
I

God gave an

immediate

ansv.-er.

was

quite unacquainted

with her circumstances

in life,,

and consequentfaithful-

ly unapprised of the temptations peculiar to her

case, but began to assure her of the

ness of God, in the speedy perforniance of His

own

part of the work, as soon as she

was
I

will-

ing to comply with the conditions.

lated to her the experience of a

then relady,

young

with

whom
to

I had been familiar,

who seemed
;

greatly to desire the blessing of holiness

but

on trying
ty,

pray with her

for a

present be-

siowment of the blessing, I could feel no liberand became assured in my own mind that some insuperable barrier was standing between

God and

her soul.

With much

hesitation, she

344

"the way of

holiness."

afterward informed
plating a marriage

me that she was contemengagement with a young

religion.

gentleman not professing

unless

The mys-

tery was at once solved, and I assured her that

it

was already made, her

aspirations for

present holiness, and future felicity also, would

be

futile if
affair.

she persisted in the prosecution of

the

She received the statement

I

of

my
be

views with a heavy heart, and

important
crisis in

feared that this

her experience

was

to

but the turning point for a fearful plunge into

the fatal vortex of
fession.

mere worldly-minded proit

But grace ordered

otherwise

the

struggle ended the next evening

the

idol

was
to

given up, and the victory was beyond expectation glorious.

The Lord condescended

looked as
if

take her into very close

self,

communion with himthe signature

and she

really

of God, the stafup of holiness, had been written

upon her very coumenance and from that time, she became a decided, zealous, and use;

ful traveller in the

King's highway.

While I was giving this recital, to the interesting young friend, her countenance bespoke a heart greatly disquieted, and with much em-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

barrassment, she informed
precisely the
herself.

245
that a case of

me

same
I

interest

was pending with

Lord had
inin

At once
answer
to

saw

that the

deed,

in

prayer, given "a

word

season."

The

advice

was made instrumental

in frustrating the

designs of the tempter,

her

were turned from the vortex, which had been well nigh reached, and she also became
feet

a happy, and useful, and deeply interesting

traveller in the King's

highway.

Wednesday.
class of

The

election of city officers,

has been so intensely absorbing with every

but

community, since I have been here, that time has been left for conversation on I have been thinking that any other subject.
little

to lake the interest manifested

by

the christian
it

community,

apart,

and concentrate

on some
personal

definite pursuit

of praiseworthy

benevolence
in

say

to the

promotion of a revival,

or individual experience,

might follow.
in

what glorious results Doubtless it would terminate

a name being enrolled under the banImmanuel in the book of life, many an election made sure, before exceedingly du-

many

ner of

bious.

21

346
I

"the WAV OF HOLINESS."

do not object
to christians zealously inter-

esting themselves on the subject of appointing

"the powers that be."

If the Scriptures enit

join the duty of not resisting them, surely

is

greatly desirable to have such as our christian

judgment might acknowledge

of

to

be "ministers

God

to

us for good."
to

But how few pro**lhat first of

fessors

seem

apprehend the obligation imintercessions,

;

posed by apostolic exhortation,

all,

supplications, prayers,

and

giving of thanks, be
that' are in authority,

made

and peaceable
the
also

life."

men for all that we may lead a quiet They seem to forget that
for all

powers

that be, are ordained

by God, and
evil

of the divine injunction,

"Speak

of

no

man," and act upon the assumption that

they are to

make

use of the

same carnal

weapons, and

wield them also in the same

manner

as

is

practised

by the mere worldling-

May

it

not be in part attributable to these mis-

taken views and conduct, that few christian

men go
the fire

through the ordeal of zealous election-

eering, or an election to office

?

unharmed by
trial.

Sabbath.

Was

a day of extraordinary

My

ever-watchful foe seemed to have found

NOTES BY THE WAY.

247
I

out
as

new premises
"Legions of

to

work upon.

really felt

if

continually surrounded by
dire,

malicious fiends."

The main
was

effort

on the part of

my

enemies,

directed toward the answer to prayer that

I had received for

a revival of the
first

work

of

holiness in this place, on the

I

Sabbath

after

came

here.

had not yet seen as evidently

as I had anticipated, the answer to

my

prayer,

and
to
to

this

was
felt

the ground that the

work upon.
have

Never

before,

enemy took do I remember

the necessity

of looking well to

the things I had prospectively gained by

way
The

of answer to prayer, in reference to others, as

well as to blessing in actual possession.

contest continued with unabated fury until late

at night,

and

my

enemies would have intimitaking the repose which

dated
health

me from
much

my

needed, by the insinuation that I

should yet be despoiled of

it

my

confidence, had

not been for the inspiring hope given by the

blessed word, assuring

me
of

that

they that were for me,

against me.

than

all

more were that were

salvation

The Captain
of Hosts

my

The Lord

My condescending God

218

"the way of holiness."

gave signal and glorious victory during

sleep.
I

my

dreamed
seats

that I

was

at a

church, that I had

:

not been accustomed to attend in this place

the

were densely crowded with an

all

as-

sembly of fervent worshippers,

silently yet

with unutterable intensity, supplicating God.

The hour had

I

arrived

when

must depart, and

arose amid

the praying multitude as one

'

alone to leave.

Instead

of going out in the

aisle to the altar,

usual way, I passed

up the

where

to

my

astonishment, several kneeling

suppliants were bowed, earnestly

groaning in
I

subdued was much moved

exclaimed,
it?"

tones, for the blessing of holiness.

at the
!

unexpected
this

sight,

and

"What

all

and

not

know
would

I rejoiced in spirit, and endeavored to

encourage them, so long as

with the intention of going
aisle to the door,

my

haste

permit, and then passed along before the altar,

down the extreme when my progress was again

larger and yet
all

impeded by

still

more fervent
I

company

of suppliants,

imploring in unut-

terable groanings the blessing of holiness.

was almost overcome with wonder and

grati-

NOTES BY THE WAY.

tude, and

249

exclaimed, *'Can

it

be

?"

When

the Spirit said to

to

my heart,
!"

your prayer

It

"This is the answer was too much, and I sat

down and gave vent to my overwhelming joy in tears when one most beseechingly said,

"O

sister

,"

calling m.e
fled.

by name,

^^do

j>ray^ and the vision

Joy unspeakable

and full of glory now filled my soul. Every enemy was vanquished, and not one lingering temptation left to doubt, but that God had
heard and was already ansv^rering

my

prayer.

Monday
I had

evening, I

attended love feast in

street church.

The

individual for

whom

been so prayerfully interested during the

whole of
to speak.

my

visit,

and very especially during

the evening, rose at the close of the meeting

Had

he been invested with power

capable of reading the emotions of

for the several preceding days,,

my

hearl

and during the

satis-

evening,
fy
said

and

then

sought words to

those

emotions,

he could scarcely have

satisfactory,

any thing more

.,nat

with the ex-

ception

he had not yet received the wit~

ness* of holiness.

The Lord had given me

the

* Soon afterward, he received the direct assurance

250

"the way

of holiness.'

earnest during the night previous, but

full tide of joy

now
soul

the

ran so high, that

my

was

unutterably

filled

with glory and with God.

Thai

night,

on
ill.

my

return home, I

was taken
so

unexpectedly
alarming that

The symptoms were

began

to anticipate the trial of

being unable to reach

but

my

beloved home.

realized a perfect resignation to the will of

felt that

God,

He

did not chide

me when
the
I

asked,

that if consistent with

His

will,

disease might be arrested, that

hand of might be per-

mitted to undertake

my

contemplated journey

homeward on

the

morrow.

The Lord
and
I

heard and answered the petition,

undertake the jourhealth since
I

found myself surprisingly better in the

to

morning, and quite able

ney.

Yet the

state of

my

turn has been quite precarious, and

to the test of

my ream brought

to

do the

will of

being willing to suffer as well as God. The circumstances

of ray health, and the peculiar trials

by which
has into

my

faith

has been exercised of

to feel as if the

late,

clined

me

Lord was about

and was instrumental

in

an extensive revival of the

work of God.

NOTES BV THE WAY.

take ine home.
state that I

251

To
is

the glory of grace, I can

have not one wish apart from the

will of

God.

He

my

All in

all

the

centre

Alpha and the Omega the beginning and the end the first and the
of

my

existence

the

last.

N
" Notes by
hand, and
the

O T 3

Way,"

of succeeding years, with

much

miscellane

PUS matter, in prose and verse, embracing a variety of topics, are on

may

form another volume

at

an early period, should Chris-

tian sentiment, in reference to the one

now

submitted to the public,

adjudge

it

favorable to the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, to

sect, or party, the author desires

which alone, irrespective of name,

to

be devoted.

VISIT

TO

MY
go

FRIEITO'S MANSION IN THE EARLY AGES OF ETERNITY.

prepare a place for you."
all
;

'"

to

Jesus;

Earth's travellers have

gone o'er

The boundaries

of time

Not one, but what has reached the shore Of that peculiar clime, Where all is real what had been, But dim, when on life's page,
:

In living su'bstance here

Grown

***
is

seen,

mightier

still

with age.

The beauteous City of

Jerusalem so bright
Well,
I its
I

my God
have

glittering paths

trod,

happy child of light. And as I walk each golden Counting each towering

street. spire,
I

How many a much loved friend And strike anew my lyre.

But whose
I

meet,

this
in,

mansion
and
lo
!

'tis

so

fair,

venture

I find

the blessed inmate there,

I

One

well

knew below
1

And
This

shall I

marvel

Jesus
prepare

said,
;

Your mansions
is

my

friend's, 'twas for her

I

made,

Why

wonder that she's there

254

THE EOYAL

HEIR.

And dost thou love the Lord ^ art thou His child 1 And does His Spirit in thy bosom rest 1 Then hath a happy lot upon thee smiled, And thou of priceless knowledge art possessed.
Hail, brother pilgrim, hail
!

though

in disguise,

(Perhaps thy outward robe

may speak
which,
if

thee mean^

And And

as of

little
!

note in mortal eyes,)

title,

Yet, oh

thou hast a

seen

read by earth's aspirants, would declare

art royal born

That thou

a prince an

heir.

And though a seeming exile from the land Where dwell thy prospects so exceeding fair, The interests of thy Father's throne demand Thy utmost vigilance, thy special care
;

Thou wast not rescued from

the dark

domain

Where captive held, by chains, To purchased light, and liberty, in

Thou
art the Lord's redeemed

malicious wrought,
vain,

and dearly bought.

Thy And

soul, thy bodij,

Was

purchased unto

not one day Canst thou by virtual right use as thine own The Lord's free servant, thy Redeemer's claim.

and thy every power Him and Him alone, no, not one passing hour,

Sealed with His blood's deep, traceless signature

Then go
Prove

forth in His
faithful until

work His name death thy crown

might
in
is sure.

255

TRAVELLER'S

SONG-.

My Father God ! I

feel, I feel
all is

thy love,

All is well,

well,

My

heart

is fix'd, is fix'd

on things above,
give,

All is well, all is well

From

henceforth

all for

Christ

I
;

Resolv'd in

Him

to die or live
all

And He

hath said, " All,

All
is well,

receive,"
well.

all is

This perfect love,

'tis

perfect, perfect bliss,

\ell,

All is well, all is

what a happy, happiness

All
is

is this

well,

all is well.

To hear Him whisper thou art mine, "And all in me, my child, is thine,''
!

these are triumphs

All

all

Divine,
well.

is well, all is

Ah

what
I

is

earth,

is

earth,

when
well

can sing.

All

is well, all is

Dark
Here,

dark the joys, the joys that she can bring.

All is well, all is well
all is

transport, light
I

and
blest,

rest

Here, here

am
All

supremely
all in

With

Christ

and
is

him possessed,

well, all is well.

Hark

duty

calls
is

it

calls,

and

obey,

All

well, all is well

256

What

though the cross

All
is

the cross,
in thy

lies in the

way,

well, all is well

Though
Lord,
I'll

fearful nature, shrinking stand,

thine,

am

and

hand

follow on

if

thou command,
well, all is well.

AH
Ilise, rise

is

my

soul,
is
all,

and onward, onward

;

still,

All

well, all is well

God

shall with

with

all

his fulness

fill,

All is well, all is well.

Stronger than death. His love to thee,

And thou, to all eternity, A monument of grace shall

All is well,

be.
well.

all is

^s