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its destruction. In deep affliction, and in the near prospect of death, the Christian's hope, like the flower which blooms at midnight,* appears in all its beauty and vitality, and casts its fragrance around the dying pillow. When the things of time are vanishing, and passing away like shadows, and the ocean of eternity presents itself, this hope is realized as substantial: it is then especially found" an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast"; or, as Dr. Owen says, "The substance of it is firm; the proportion of it is suited to the burden of the ship; it is no fair, promising, and yet deceitful engine: it is also, as to its use, steadfast and firm; which no violence of winds, or storms, can either break, or move from its hold. Such is genuine hope to the soul it is sure; not a deceiving imagination: it 'maketh not ashamed,' by any failure or disappointment. Groundless presumptions are the deceitful engines whereby the souls of multitudes are ruined every day; of no more use, than if the mariners should cast out a log, or a burden of straw, to stay their vessel in a storm. But hope, built on faith, is infallible: it is firm, invincible against all opposition; not indeed from itself, but from the ground which it fixeth upon-Christ, in the Promise."

This Christian hope sustained the mind of MRS. HAWKES under every storm: it entered within the veil," or through the heavens; and fixed on the Person of Christ, as the Covenant Head of all blessings for time and eternity. With the eye of faith, looking at things not seen, she beheld her departed Minister amidst "the General Assembly and Church of the First-born." She felt, that, to her, one more earthly tie was loosened; and that now she had only to plume the wings of her soul, ready to soar away, and take her part in the general song of praise.

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Writing, about this time, to a very dear friend, and sister in affliction, Mrs. C--tt, she says—

:

"Often, when in pensive mood, and the sun is for a time hidden behind some intervening cloud which unbelief has raised, and I am just going to hang my harp on the willows, I with shame take it back again, and begin some song of praise ;-and that sets all to rights. The Scriptures, and especially the Psalms, not only abound with praises to our God, but assure us, also, that He is pleased with our praises. I think, scarcely any Christian seems to cultivate this temper of mind, this holy habit, sufficiently for it should not be an accidental, but an habitual frame of heart; not merely flowing from the sense of His mercies to ourselves, but from the contemplation of the glorious perfections and attributes of the Triune Jehovah, as he is in Himself, and in relation to us, as poor fallen creatures. What a theme does this open! Eternity alone can make us know and estimate it! Oh, for faith to look-not at the things that are seen, which are temporal, tempestuous, contradictory, confused, and often heart-sickening-but at those that are not seen, which are eternal, unchanging, certain, peaceful, and heart-cheering!-not such a faith as generalizes, but realizes; and which makes the things of sense retreat, and actually give place to the things of faith, with as much certainty as if they were present, and in possession. This, My Honoured Friend, is our high privilege—and, I trust, our constant desire and aim-however we may fail in the attainment. And, as to our failings, we will mourn over them, and fight against them; but give no place to despondency, even for a moment, while Christ our Saviour ever liveth to intercede for us, at the right-hand of the Majesty on high.”

CHAP. VI.

HER TEMPORARY ABODE AT BETCHWORTH.
A.D. 1811, To 1812.

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HER

ACCEPTS DR. FEARON'S OFFER OF A VACANT PARSONAGE HOUSE GRATITUDE ON THE OCCASION-HER SENSE OF SOLITUDE-LETTERS TO MRS. C... .. TT-SHE MEETS WITH AN ACCIDENT-IS OBLIGED TO RETURN TO LONDON.

NINE years had now elapsed since MRS. HAWKES went to reside with her niece, in Constitution Row. Her next remove was occasioned, not by any remarkable change in health or circumstances, but she was attracted by a very friendly and promising offer of a vacant parsonage-house at Betchworth, near Dorking, in Surrey; belonging to her much-valued friend, the Rev. Dr. Fearon. As this opening occurred early in the summer, when the country, especially in that part, is most inviting, and as her health and nerves much needed the benefit arising from change of air, she thankfully acceded to a proposal which seemed like a providential leading. It did not however, in the result, appear to be a spot in which MRS. HAWKES was appointed to make any long stay; her health compelling her, within a few months, to return to London. A memorandum, written soon after her removal to Betchworth, exhibits that generous sensibility with which she ever met the kindness of friends:

"Betchworth, 1811.-Let me never cease to be grateful for, and deeply penetrated with, the great

goodness of the Lord, in bestowing on me, most unworthy, the favour and friendship of His honoured and faithful Minister, Dr. Fearon. He has indeed put himself in the place of my dear departed father in the Gospel, Mr. Cecil; whose care for me I never expected to be again felt and exercised by any other. Yet, here I am, dwelling in a house lent me by the generous, kind Doctor. Both he and his wife are daily showing me kindness, and laying me under very weighty obligations. May the Lord be pleased to reward them a hundred-fold; and may he give His blessing to our intercourse, and make my sojourning here salutary to my body and soul! In my revered friend, I have both an able physician, and a faithful and experienced Minister.

"I would, above all things, desire that my heart should be affected towards my Saviour as it is towards a friend dearly beloved; i. e. ever to be anxious for His sacred presence with me.

"If I love a friend, I am not satisfied with an interview now and then, or an occasional short conversation. But, in proportion as his company and converse delights me, I long for it, I seek it, I am not contented without it-I am in haste to despatch any business that detains me, and feel the time irksome which deprives me of intercourse. If he depart, I feel desolate, listen for his return, and meet him with high expectation of advantage and instruction; for the glow of friendship animates and elevates.

"Ah! faithless, ungrateful heart! dost thou feel this towards thy Saviour, to whom all other friends are as the glowworm to the sun? Thou art, perhaps, not happy, unless, in time of prayer, thou art permitted some freedom of approach to Him: but when that is over, and thou art constrained to turn to temporal pursuits, dost thou anxiously catch every interval, to obtain a glimpse ? Dost thou seize every leisure moment, to retire into thy heart, and

exchange a word or look? Dost thou count every moment of separation irksome ?-Ah! faithless and ungrateful heart! thou art dumb with shame."

Fond as MRS. HAWKES naturally was of retirement, it was now less suited to her than formerly; since, from her bodily sufferings, she was less capable of improving it. She soon experienced a sensible depression of spirits, on being removed from her circle of friends; especially during the occasional absence of her valued neighbours, Dr. and Mrs. Fearon. To this sense of solitude, as well as to the means of improving it, she slightly refers, in a Letter to her friend, Mrs. Ctt, dated Betchworth, Aug. 1811; from which the following is an extract:

"To apply simply to Christ, upon every occasion, is the only way of obtaining peace. This also is the secret by which we maintain converse with God, in or out of solitude. Trials, dear Madam, of one kind or other, are the portion of God's Children: they cannot do without them. I have for many years, as you know, had wave upon wave of sorrow; but I must declare, I cannot call any thing a real affliction, but that which separates the soul from communion and fellowship with God. Let but the light of His countenance shine upon us, and all things, how difficult soever, become comparatively light and easy. He will be found of those who cultivate an interior acquaintance with him. He is full of compassion and love; and, as often as we apply to him by faith and unfeigned repentance, heals the wounds to which we are exposed by the sins, follies, and negligence of our carnal nature. His constant voice is, 'I am the Lord that healeth thee.' I could fill a volume, if I were to recount the instances I have had of the great love, power, and willingness of our Good Physician; and, through His great mercy, I find He is 'the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.'

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