foundation of the world, and as the man of sorrows, whom the nation abhorred.

The perfection of our knowledge in this state does not consist in having attained a full know ledge of Christ, but in this, that we are sensible how little we know, and forgetting the attainments we have already made, we continue to press on towards those depths and heights we have not yet reached. And in practice it is just the same as in knowledge; he is the sum of all we would know: so in conduct, he is the perfection of all we would do, and the exemplification of all that God the Father loves.

Here also our perfection is the same in at taining to the height of his holiness, his devo® tion, his love, his service to the church, his cherishing the lambs, and gently leading those that are with young; his forgiveness of our coldness, our waywardness, notwithstanding all his love; not I say in attaining to the stature of our dear Lord, but in aiming after it, for getting the things that are behind, and reaching forward to those that are before, through the Spirit. And this our dear Father does? require of us, to destroy self-complacency, and prove how entirely our salvation is of grace; and adore and wonder at that love which bears with the wickedness of our holy things.

*

If therefore you limit your aim to any thing short of Christ's example in any thing that is

personal, you fail in the very principle of the New Testament service, which is the desire that love implants to fulfil all the will of him it loves. Therefore, if in money matters you were to say, I will give a tenth, or half of my income, you equally depart from that entire surrender in aim and purpose, which the Apostle Paul had so much at heart.

The above rather relates to what appears to me to be the reason of the command, than to be the Scripture evidence for it, which is too full to need citations; and the only question that rests with you is, how the circumstances of the church may allow you to modify the strictness of Christian precepts. My own feeling on this subject is this, that I never would alter one tittle of Christ's mind once revealed, unless he were to send me an especial revelation to that purpose. I would rather let the will rest as it is, and aim after, (however feebly) all his mind, and love him for not suspending my salvation upon the attainment of it, or on any thing but his own unbought love, than modify the rule, and thus rest satisfied that now this will do, though less than the gospel

states.

I think you undervalue the work of the Holy Ghost exceedingly, when you say there is not love enough in the church. The love of the church is the Holy Ghost's work, not man's,

and therefore must eternally exist, only waiting for occasions to call it forth. Now to you I may appeal personally; it was quite beside my expectation, and my natural desire to come out aided by any, and yet now how truly do I bless the Lord, that in the sale of my little property, he disappointed my hopes, and made me dependant on that love, which but for this, I might never have known, and even doubted the existence of. And oh! of how much happiness would this have deprived me. It is not a particular instance but a general principle of Christ's government, that whatsoever we relinquish for him, he will repay us a hundred fold even here; and if you do, as indeed I know you do, deplore the coldness of our hearts one towards another, and that the church has grown selfish, be assured the exercise of faith on the love of Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost increasing love in the heart of the believer, is the way appointed by the Lord for the removal of this apparent want of affection in the hearts of the members of his body one towards another. I can truly say, I would rather be in my present position of dependant abundance from the love of God's dear children, than in the independent possession of India and it affords me infinitely more spiritual happiness and heavenly enjoyment.

Farewell, my very dear friend; may the

very God of peace bless you, and make you like the garden that the Lord hath blessed, yielding increase to the name of Jesus.

Believe me your's most truly, in the best of bonds, A. N. GROVES.

Lately published, Price 8d.

CHRISTIAN DEVOTEDNESS,

OR, THE

CONSIDERATION OF OUR SAVIOUR'S PRECEPT, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth."

BY A. N. GROVES.

SECOND EDITION.

Just published, in 12mo. Price 3s. 6d. boards,
ST. HELENA MEMOIRS,

AN ACCOUNT

OF

A REMARKABLE REVIVAL OF RELIGION

THAT TOOK PLACE AT ST. HELENA,

DURING THE LAST YEARS OF THE EXILE OF NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE.