views—if the Lord favours me with much of this blessing, I shall not murmur at two years captivity. The liberty of the soul is of the greatest importance; and very often those who have the greatest bondage of body and circumstances, are favored with the sweetest access to God. When the streams of creature comfort run dry, the fountain is most divinely prized. Seek his favour, and labour in spirit for the fullest assurance of faith, hope, and spiritual understanding. My kindest love to your better half, and her dear mother. Something strikes my mind I shall meet you all three in heaven. I know not what will befal me in future; the Lord is able to make it light at midnight, and I think I know what it means—’tis darkness all round me, strange it should be light within, yet so I sometimes find it. The Egyptian enemies are in total darkness, but the spiritual Israelites have light in their dwellings. I cannot send your dear wife and mother but these three verses. Great God I would not ask to see, What in futurity shall be; If light and bliss attend my days, Then let my future hours be praise. Is darkness and distress my share, Then let me trust thy guardian care. Enough for me, if love divine, At length through every cloud shall shine. Yet _this_ my soul desires to know, Be _this_ my only wish below, That Christ is _mine_—this great request Grant blessed Lord, and I am blest. My heart is so sweetly opened in writing to you all, that you must pardon every error. I hope you do me the favor of taking in my scrawl every fort’night. Give my kind love to dear Mrs. Wise, and to Mrs. Barns—God bless you all. Your’s, truly, _Ruhamah_. LETTER XXIX. _Valley of Achor_, _Dec._ 1_st_, 1819. Mrs. WISE. MY DEAR FRIEND,