Ripley097

ever they walked in the paths of righteousness, or wit-nessed a table spread for them in the midst of their ene-mies, which by faith the Lord’s people partake of, eatingHis Body, and drinking His Blood mystically. I think, without God had aided me in my soul andbody, it would have been impossible for me to supportunder what I felt for the people this day, as they weremany of them in total darkness. Few are the number ofChristians in this part; but may they be increased by thefaithful labourers, exercising their graces upon the Meritsand Mercy of a Redeemer: for He it is who restorethfrom the fall, and maketh true Christians. I am anxiousfor the kingdoms of this world, to become the Kingdomof our Lord Jesus Christ. [Petersburg, 8th 8th mo. 1805.] From Petersburg, I returned back to Vernon this morn-ing, and am rejoiced that I have got nearer Eternity, thatpleasant sound, the Saint’s delight. There I shall notpass through one spiritual baptism for sinners, neitherfeel the fatigue one moment that I go through now, be-cause the children of men are so unlike their Maker, andare swallowed up with trifles of meanest fort. In thisworld the Kingdom of Grace is my glory: How muchmore will it be in Eternity? There I shall never weepfor the would of men; nor feel pain, or weariness of fleshor spirit, occasioned by moving to and fro, and refusing tobe comforted, knowing Israel’s seed is sifted over theearth and fast bound in the captive chains of the devil;but that happy day is hastening, when satan shall bebound, and his power lost for a thousand years; then theLord my God will comfort His saints, and great shall betheir peace, who have laboured to build up Jesus Christ’sKingdom, by precept and example; doing and sufferingHis Will from one year to another. May the purity ofmy soul, qualify me to enjoy complete happiness in Christ,in God, my only Friend, my sure support, when the mountgains melt as wax before the fire, and all the proud shallstand aghast, confounded by His Might. I tremble forthe unwise, when I contemplate their awful situation,