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It were to be wished that MRS. HAWKES had always inserted in her diary the particular fact, question, or difficulty, which drew out those remarks of Mr. Cecil's which she so carefully recorded. This would have thrown a stronger light on the foregoing observations respecting Christian Biography, as well as given a greater interest to the ideas themselves, as they occur on this and other occasions.

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Wednesday." How have I been feasted this evening by hearing from Heb. xii. 7, 8. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.' Let me learn not to murmur; but rather rejoice, under the repeated marks I have of sonship."

Friday." I am greatly alarmed and distressed to hear of a painful complaint under which my valuable friend and father now labours. I fear I have too much anxiety lest I should lose such an instructor. I ought to look to that Divine Teacher who has said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' But, alas! my faith is small, my weakness great; and my ignorance extreme. I shall never meet with such another minister: so able, so condescending. Surely he may say with St. Paul, 'We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.""

Sunday." This is the most melancholy Sabbath I have passed since my attendance at St. John's Chapel! My invaluable teacher is too ill to preach; and my eyes run down with tears. In vain I try to encourage myself in hope: but I can pray and that shall be my comfort."

MRS. HAWKES's tender feelings on occasion of the ill

ness of her minister, (which however proved but temporary,) recall to mind the Galatian converts, to whose zealous affection St. Paul bears so remarkable a testimony, chap. iv. 14, that they had received him "as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus." And he bears them record that if it had been possible, they would have plucked out their own eyes to have given them to him. He also appeals to God as to the sincerity of his own ardent affection towards those whom he had "begotten through the Gospel," when he says, "For God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ:" Phil. i. 8. using towards them the most endearing compellations, "Therefore my brethren, dearly beloved, and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." Phil. iv. 1. And for their "furtherance and joy of faith," he has confidence that God would even preserve his life, that their rejoicing in Christ Jesus for him might be more abundant by his coming to them again. Phil. i. 25. Animated and actuated by the same spirit, faithful ministers and true converts are" of one mind, having the same love," and enjoying the same everlasting consolation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

CHAPTER III.

FROM HER SETTLEMENT AT HOLLOWAY TO HER LEAVING THAT PLACE.

FROM A. D. 1790 To 1796.

Her attachment to Holloway-Dedicates her house to God-Visited by Mr. Cecil-His conversation-Her domestic trials-Correspondence with Mrs. Jones-Death of her brother Henry-Begins to insert in her diary notes of Mr. Cecil's sermons-Improves her retirement by solid readingVisits Broad Marston-Birmingham-Madely-Interview with Mrs. Fletcher-Return to Holloway-Illness of Mrs. Cecil-Feelings of Mr. Cecil on the occasion—MR. and Mrs. HAWKES visit Birmingham, Dudley, Sutton, and West Bromwich, accompanied by Mr. Cecil-Remarks of Mr. Cecil-Of the Rev. John Newton-Of the Rev. W. Jesse-Return to TownMKS. HAWKES's memorandum on opening the year 1795-Her long confinement by illness-Her thoughts on recovery-Fast-day 1796-Mr. Cecil's sermon-His Remarks-Letters-Digression on melancholy-MRS. HAWKES goes to Dover-Her state of anxiety there-Returns to Holloway, and finds it a scene of agitation-Mrs. Jones requests or her a temporary asylum in Mr. Cecil's house.

It has already been hinted that MRS. HAWKES had peculiar and severe trials of a domestic nature. These weighed heavily on her spirits, and led her to seek, by retirement and prayer, the strength and support she needed. Worldly company and amusements had now no charms for her. It may therefore be easily conceived, with what satisfaction she found, that it was the intention of MR. HAWKES to take a house at Holloway, a spot about four miles from Town, connected with a small farm. To this place she afterwards became exceedingly

attached; and during the few years she remained there she had, notwithstanding the continuance of her usual trials, many alleviations. She had frequent opportunities of enjoying the society and conversation of Christian friends, who were invited to her house. But especially did she derive consolation and advantage, from the pastoral visits of him, whom she always mentions as her revered father in the gospel, the Rev. Richard Cecil. Nor was her attendance on his ministry interrupted by her removal from town. She constantly drove this short distance to St. John's Chapel. It will be interesting to refer to her own memorandums at this time, and also during her subsequent abode at Holloway ; an interval of about seven years.

Though these extracts will furnish but little incident, they strikingly mark the spirit and temper of a young convert, earnestly seeking after God, delighting in his word and ordinances, and desiring to be fed with "hidden manna," under the influences of his Spirit.

March 8, 1790.-" Drove to-day to see the farm at Holloway. I fear I am too anxious to obtain it: but I have many painful reasons for desiring to leave town, which are known only to myself. If I know any thing of my own heart, my first and chief object in desiring Holloway, is, to obtain retirement, leisure, and quiet, in order to pursue the things-not of sense-but of faith. My broken health-depressed spirits-and many other things-make me long for solitude."

Friday, March 19, 1790.-" Slept at Holloway for the first time and I cannot help saying, This same shall comfort me.' Which I say with more confidence; because it is the thing I have prayed for, and because I expect comfort here, only from God's making it to be a comfort. I look to him to bless and sanctify it to the

strengthening and enriching of my soul. I have hitherto lived like a soldier in the heat of the battle, surrounded by confusion and dismay: now I am permitted to retire; and trust that I shall not become a slothful, but a more laborious servant in the vineyard. From this hour I dedicate, as far as lies in my small power, this house to be a house of prayer-a Bethel. May none resort hither but such as love and call upon his name. May every day be a day of consecration, of secret transaction and intercourse, with Him who has so mercifully given it me and whatever may continue to be my daily trials of faith and patience, let me now seek to endure them with three-fold resignation; considering how greatly my heavy, piercing, load is lightened by this retreat."

"My suffering time will soon be o'er,
Soon shall my soul away :

Then shall I sigh and sin no more,
But sing through endless day."

April 10.-" Favoured with a call from my revered minister. My heart burns within me when I hear the instruction and conversation of the godly. Let me here record Mr. C's advice and remarks.

Advice. "Do not read the Bible with notes only. It is a loss to confine yourself to any commentator. Read it with prayer, and listen simply to the best Teacher, the Holy Spirit; who will sometimes so shine upon the word, as to afford you an insight and understanding of the Scriptures such as no commentator upon earth can give. Then you will not only understand it, but lay hold of it.

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Daily observe regular, stated times, for retirement. Let reading, prayer, and meditation, have each their place: each is of importance. Take a verse of Scripture

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