from me? My help it standeth only with the Lord; and though I am destitute of sensible comfort, yet I am enabled to rest upon the unchangeable word of promise, that those whom He has justified, and to whom He has given the love of holiness, the inseparable companion of justification, He will infallibly glorify. With respect to the work of the Lord, I hope it prospers among us. I hear of good being done, and that is some comfort to me. Amongst your numerous friends, let me beg of you to remember me at the throne of grace: none more stands in need of your earnest supplications. Whilst I can keep hold of the promise, I am encouraged: but I assure you, it is indeed a warfare, a struggle, a race. You are often, _often_ present to my mind; and while I have any apprehension of the inestimable value of spiritual blessings, I will not cease to pray that you may be enriched with the choicest of them; and that we may be permitted to join in the songs of the redeemed.” “Stoke, November 12, 1804. “It is some time since I heard of you, but hope you are well: if so, the less matter whether I hear of you or not. However, pray snatch some passing hour to let us know how the work of the Lord goes on at D.; for, let matters go how they may with ourselves, still will we say respecting the success of the Gospel, ‘Good luck have thou!’ There is in man a desire to be _something, somewhere_; and this desire is, beyond a doubt, the moving spring of much of that forwardness we see in many touching the promotion of religion. Howbeit, the Gospel is furthered. “You will be surprised to hear of the death of James P. He was buried at Colsterworth about a fortnight since. With my father’s permission, I preached at his funeral to a crowded church. The effect I know not, but my own heart seemed hard and insensible as a rock; and, indeed, though I have proof that my labours are owned by my gracious Lord, yet I seem like Gideon’s fleece, dry in the midst of divine dew. My hope, however, and my confidence, is kept immoveably fixed on the rock of ages; and I have to bless God for a growing devotedness to his service, an increasing determination to be the world’s fool for the sake of Christ, and to count His reproach my highest honour.” An entry in his private Journal, dated January 27th, 1805, manifests the same distrust of self, and the same earnestness for the good of his people.