The Benevolent Merchant; Or, the Dealings of God in Providence and Grace, by M.N Or, the Dealings of God in Providence and Grace, by M.N. (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1840. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. "Lord, In Thy house I'm told there's room; With doubts and fears, behold, I come: But can there--tell me--can there be, Among thy people, room for me?. Yet will I stay, nor hence will go, Until a blessing Thoa bestow." Passing over a short interval, I must request my readers to follow me to Maymead, where we shall find our party, consisting of Mrs. and Miss Melville, with Maria Wilson and Mrs. Parry, on the Sabbath morning, just entering the porch of Mr. Jervis's church, while the bells are chiming. Here they are joined by Emma Darnley, who came to sit in Mrs. Melville's pew, her papa's being filled with his own family and some friends. The Melvilles sat in the gallery, whence the lower part of the church was quite open to view. Mrs. Parry, although not yet aware of the great difference between the effects of an evangelical ministry of the word of God, and the bare observance of its forms, was nevertheless struck with the appearance of the congregation and place. There was a large auditory: the principal aisle was filled with poor persons, many of whom were standing for want of sittingroom: and an air of reverence, earnestness, and animation pervaded the whole assembly. On the commencement of the service, a stranger appeared in the surplice, and was advancing through the crowded aisle to the desk. Emma instantly pointed him out to Maria, and whispered--"Who can that be? are we not to have Mr. Jervis to-day?" Maria gently checked her, and replied in a whisper--" I fear he is ill; but let us hope it will not be the word of man we shall hear, but the word of God, whoever may be sent with it." The prayers being ended, Emma could not avoid watching to see who would be the preacher. Even Maria caught herself now and then casting an anxious look tow...