God sometimes does His work with gentle drizzle, not storms.

Though troubles assail And dangers affright, Though friends should all fail And foes all unite; Yet one thing secures us, Whatever betide, The scripture assures us, The Lord will provide.

To embrace what are called the Calvinistic doctrines was an infallible token of a humble mind.

How many times has He delivered me! Yet, alas! How distrustful and ungrateful is my heart even until the present!

By affliction prayer is quickened, for our prayers are very apt to grow languid and formal in a time of ease.

Whoever is truly humbled — will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference — it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions — he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved.

God often takes a course for accomplishing His purposes directly contrary to what our narrow views would prescribe. He brings a death upon our feelings, wishes, and prospects when He is about to give us the desire of our hearts.