Philosophy teaches that nature abhors a vacuum. The same thing may be said of grace. Every portion of the space allotted as our earthly course, must be properly filled, so that our great Pattern and Example may be imitated, Who was ever engaged in doing good, even to the unthankful. I must here crave permission to recite another instance of Divine goodness to myself, the unworthiest of all the servants who wait upon the Lord. One evening I was invited to attend a Band-meeting at Sloane-terrace chapel, at which one of the stated ministers presided. I had for 253some time previously felt the necessity of more complete conformity to the will of God. I began to consider more deeply that if religion had any importance at all, it was all-important, and demanded the undivided homage of my heart. Several passages of Scripture bearing, as I thought, on the subject were applied to my mind with great energy; especially the 25th verse of the 36th of Ezekiel: ‘Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give unto you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.’ Another passage in the New Testament, I thought had respect to the same subject, 1 John i. 7: ‘But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.’ On the strength of these gracious declarations, the anticipation of some added and glorious spiritual blessing was present with me. As the time of holding the Band-meeting drew nigh, unbelief arose, by whose evil agency I was greatly shaken. ‘What right have you to appear among the people of God? Why intrude yourself? You have been unfaithful already; do you mean to walk the same course again? Are you fitted for duty so sacred as that you approach, or to enter into the presence of God and His chosen people?’ These were terrible siftings; but, sustained by the Almighty, I surmounted the assault, and kept to my determination. I pleaded the promises, and found them exceeding great and precious. My past unfaithfulness was, indeed, a source of deep repentance and regret; but I remembered it was written: ‘All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto men;’ and, ‘Whosoever cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast them out.’ According to my faith, so was it done unto me. My soul in confidence arose,—it rose and broke 254through all. The meeting was honoured with the Master’s presence. Like the disciples at Emmaus, our hearts burned within us, while He opened our understandings, and applied His own merciful promises. God was pleased on this occasion to enlarge and renovate the hearts of His people. I was able with an unwavering hand to set to my seal that God is truth and love; and felt that from Him alone proceeds the power to conquer inbred sin.