Oh, my dear sister, I quite tremble when I think of the probable results
of the present wide spread of tractarian notions. High churchism, if it
be suffered to proceed, and does not meet with a speedy and most
effectual check from the rulers of our Church, will hurry hundreds and
thousands into Romanism, or force the decidedly Evangelical into
secession. Awful times seem to be awaiting us, and I hardly dare think
of them: indeed, I keep putting away every consideration almost as fast
as it comes; or, rather, I endeavour to keep rolling the weighty care
upon One who is both able and pledged, in answer to believing prayer, to
sustain it. These principles are exerting no small degree of influence
in our province. Oh, forget us not in your prayers! we greatly need
them. As to myself I need say but little. My health and spirits are
restored to a degree which I little anticipated, and I am enabled to go
through such duties as I engage in with comparative ease and comfort. A
calm, tranquil, peaceful old age has been mercifully vouchsafed me, and
all I want is more grace to enjoy and improve my many mercies. I am
always backward to speak of spiritual things, lest while recounting God’s
mercies, “self-applause should step in;” but I still owe it to the
goodness of my condescending God and Saviour to testify that I do hope
his work is not retrograding in my soul. Infirmities, I have many—mental
and spiritual, as well as bodily; but still some precious deepenings are
I hope not fallaciously discernible.