"The Duke seems more indifferent respecting the return of his letters—consequently as dearest Mrs. L. so strongly advised my retaining them I mean to do so without noticing that formal note received to night, leaving everything as it stands in the Lord's Hands. Having cast my burthen upon the Lord all I now have to do is to dedicate my time more exclusively to my usual daily duties as before intended, endeavoring to recall perfectly to memory all my hymns—360—and the Gospels of St. Matthew and John, with my beautiful Psalms—which latter have been neglected more than either of the former, although none have been allowed so much time as if I had not been so occupied with the Duke.

"Sept. 22nd. My disinclination to write to the Duke continues. O may the Lord bless him by quickening his dead soul and call him forth to glorify Him mightily for Christ's sake!

"Oct. 1st, 1835. How wonderful are the dealings of God. Last night I came home fully determined to write and send off a letter to the Duke and this morning, although it is ready for the Post Office, I am restrained from forwarding it. Therefore I keep it until I see why my mind is acted upon thus, feeling 'it is the Lord.' I knelt upon the bed in the night and implored Him to let His honor and glory alone be considered, and before I rose this morning, on again calling upon Him to direct me these words seemed to follow—'Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted in the heavens, I will be exalted in the earth.' So, as this is the case, it is my duty quietly and patiently to submit to the way He may condescendingly choose for that glorious purpose. In the mean time, in order to satisfy my feelings towards the poor dear Duke I can indulge in writing them at all events and thereby proving it is no want of feeling or friendship for him that keeps me silent, but the consideration due to ONE as far above Himself not only in reality but I trust through the Grace of God in my estimation also as the heavens are above the earth. Nor would I resign one of His gracious glorious smiles to become the Empress of a million worlds, even were my loved precious Duke the chosen individual to participate in such honors.

"Perhaps the Duke's conversion is at hand! Lord, if this be the case permit me through Thy Power and Grace to become the source of deep spiritual consolation to his precious soul, by being unto me a mouth and wisdom which all my adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist 'for without Thee I can do nothing!'"

My Lord Duke,—Judging from your silence to my last that all communication between us is about to cease, having written the accompanying Hymn for your acceptance, I take this opportunity of bidding you Farewell! being enabled through God's Grace which is all sufficient! to exclaim in Scripture language, "The Lord GAVE and The Lord hath taken away and blessed be the name of The Lord!" That HE brought you to me in the first place I feel convinced and heartily hope that I have omitted no faithful Christian duty towards you consistent with my "high calling in Christ Jesus," consequently shall not have cause to reproach myself of neglect when that AWFUL period arrives which MUST bring us once more together, however separated on earth by His all wise decrees, "Whose paths are in the deep waters and Whose footsteps are not known,"—and Who knoweth FAR better what is GOOD for us than we do for ourselves. Consequently it is our duty, and doubtless for our future and eventual happiness under any and all circumstances, however trying and painful such may be, to say THY will, O GOD, not mine be done! Trusting that you will not suppose any unkind feelings are experienced towards you by such DUE resignation to the Divine will or conclude that my future silence renders me forgetful of you when kneeling before Him "Whose eyes are in EVERY place beholding the evil and the good," with Whom the darkness is no darkness at all but the night is as clear as the day, I subscribe myself with much serenity as in His sight Ever My Lord Duke.

Your faithful Christian Friend,

A. J.

The hymn enclosed is entitled—

THE SHORTNESS OF TIME AND FRAILTY OF MAN.

Almighty Maker of my frame!