perception, and clear discernment of character, she seems to have been enabled to view the subject in all its bearings, to form her judgment and to make her decision, as to the advice that she ought to give him. This, however, she did not communicate at the time to him; but waited till she could hear what I thought on the subject. But she entered at once into all his feelings with the warmest sympathy; and they conversed for more than an hour in the most unreserved manner, weighing every objection, and seeking to come to a right understanding and a clear perception of the path of duty. "The subject before us," said Lucy afterwards to me, "seemed to resolve itself immediately into this question: in which profession, and by which way, can our beloved Ferdinand give glory most effectually to God? Is it not by entering upon a calling which demands, more directly than any other, the entire devotedness of the whole man, body, soul, and spirit, to His service? And then but one other question remains to be considered; and that is: has Ferdinand received a decided call to enter upon this holy vocation?" I found that we had come to the same conclusion, -Lucy, during the interview between herself and Ferdinand,-I, in the quiet cogitations of my own study, after Ferdinand had left me. But we were both filled with an unconscious joy: and before the decision of our beloved child was finally made, I suspect that both Lucy and I were taking it for granted that the point was settled, and rejoicing accordingly. December 25. The decision is made. My son will obey the call, which is so evidently from God. January 1. In what a state of calm and thankful happiness has this new year found us. It seems to me, that we are like a company of pilgrims, who have at last reached the green pastures and the still waters: we have passed through various troubles, and many dangers on our way. Time and grace seemed to have softened their character, as we look back upon them; and we may well take up the strain of the sweet singer of Israel, and say: "Surely, goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life." An unknown future lies before us: but surely, the experience of the past, and a strengthened faith in the infinite wisdom and perfect goodness of God, should teach us, and I hope have taught us, to trust Him with an implicit and an unquestioning confidence as to that future. Of one thing I am more and more deeply convinced that we have need of increased watchfulness, and of increasing prayer, to the attainment, not only of an entire submission to all His dispensations, but of a perfect acquiescence to His most blessed will. The ground of all His dealings with us, is His own sovereign grace and goodness to lost and wretched sinners. His gospel is peculiarly a message of pardon to one, unworthy, not only of forgiveness, but of notice. What then should be the effect of such goodness upon us-the return for such love, from us? The effect should be, the deepest sense of His goodness. The return, the thankfulness of our whole heart. : Yes, He has made all things work together for good, to me and mine; and what can I do but pray that a spirit of praise and thanksgiving may be spread over the whole of our future course, whatever its character may be; even as the soft but radiant light from heaven is spread over the chequered landscape below, when it lies steeped in the lustre of a glorious sunset. Surely we have cause to go on our way rejoicing; for our feet are upon the rock, and our faces Zionward, and the desire of our hearts is for a fuller and more clear assurance that we are rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as we have been taught; abounding therein with thanksgiving. The diary of the Rev. Allan Temple here comes to a break, though not to a conclusion, and we therefore close our extracts for the present. Does the reader wish to learn the sequel to this narrative? We should there find Mr. Temple in a position very different from that in which he has hitherto appeared before the reader. The reception given to this portion of the diary of Mr. Temple and his gentle and pious wife, will probably determine the question whether the other portion should be published. THE END. Printed by Mary S. Rickerby, Sherbourn Lane, King William Street, City. |