COVENANTS WITH GOD. "Dear Lord, and shall Thy Spirit rest In such a wretched heart as mine? Unworthy dwelling! Glorious Guest! Favor astonishing, Divine!" * * * * * * The following acts of consecration will, no doubt, be of interest to the reader: NEW YORK, Thursday, June 21, 1860. I do solemnly resolve from this day onward to endeavor, relying on thy Holy Spirit, to serve _Thee_ better. This is my covenant, and I would ask Thee to own and bless me with peace and joy in believing. * * * * * * NEW YORK, Saturday, October 6, 1860. I now promise, as I have formerly promised to do, from this day onward, to serve God better than I have been doing; depending on God's spirit for assistance; and will now ask to be prospered as God may see good for me. JAMES KNOWLES. * * * * * * NEW YORK, Friday, October 18, 1861. I resolved to serve God with renewed efforts, determining to look alone to God for help.[1] JAMES KNOWLES. [1] The Fulton Street Noon Prayer Meetings found him an occasional visitor during these days of national peril, anxiety, and prayer. * * * * * * NEW YORK, Thursday, April 9, 1863. Entered into an agreement with my Heavenly Father that, through the strength of His divine grace, I will live more for the glory of God than I have ever done. JAMES KNOWLES. * * * * * * NEW YORK, Saturday afternoon, April 22, 1865. I renewed my covenant with God in the City Hall Park while standing there, which I some years ago made, and now I again renew it, that I would serve God better than formerly. JAMES KNOWLES. * * * * * * NEW YORK, Thursday, April 19, 1866. Renewed my engagement with the Lord to serve Him better than I had done before, after having prayed to Him to be justified through faith in the righteousness of Christ; and asked for other blessings which I felt satisfied I would receive, for I feel my great need of these, as I felt very helpless in myself, but that there was abundant fulness in Christ. I write this and the above on this Saturday night, the 22d of April, 1866. JAMES KNOWLES. * * * * * * NEW YORK, Wednesday, December 5, 1866. My birth-day, and a fine day. I resolved on this day to endeavor to serve the Lord better, and renewed my covenant with the Lord, which I formerly made, and have again and again sought or attempted to renew. May the Lord aid me in the future.